Discover 25 unique mammals that start with the letter “J” from around the world. These mammals range from small shrews and rodents to large wild cats and rare primates. Many come from diverse habitats like tropical rainforests, mountainous regions, and deserts, showing the wide variety of environments these animals live in.
Explore the complete list below and learn key facts about each mammal.
Scientific Name This column provides the official Latin name of each mammal. Scientific names help identify species accurately and avoid confusion caused by common names.
Habitat Here you will find the natural environment where each mammal lives. This information shows where these animals thrive, such as forests, grasslands, mountains, or coastal areas.
Average Size (cm) This column lists the average length or body size of the mammal in centimeters. Size helps you understand how big or small each animal is compared to others.
Description Read this section for a brief overview of the mammal’s appearance, behavior, diet, or notable traits. It highlights what makes each species interesting and unique.
Mammals that start with J
| Mammals | Scientific Name | Habitat | Average Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson’s Mongoose | Bdeogale jacksoni | Tropical forests of East Africa, often near water sources. | 45 |
| Jaguar | Panthera onca | Rainforests, wetlands, and grasslands across Central and South America. | 150 |
| Jaguarundi | Herpailurus yagouaroundi | Forests, savannas, and scrublands, often along rivers, in Central and South America. | 65 |
| Japanese Dormouse | Glirulus japonicus | Temperate forests of Japan, typically in mountainous areas. | 7 |
| Japanese Field Vole | Microtus montebelli | Grasslands, agricultural fields, and forests throughout Japan. | 11 |
| Japanese Hare | Lepus brachyurus | Forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas throughout Japan. | 50 |
| Japanese Macaque | Macaca fuscata | Forests of Japan, often in snowy, mountainous regions. | 55 |
| Japanese Serow | Capricornis crispus | Dense forests and mountainous regions of Japan. | 125 |
| Japanese Water Shrew | Chimarrogale platycephala | Mountain streams and rivers in Japan. | 12 |
| Japanese Weasel | Mustela itatsi | Forests, grasslands, and rural areas throughout Japan. | 30 |
| Jask Jird | Meriones zarudnyi | Arid and semi-arid regions, including deserts of Iran and Pakistan. | 13 |
| Javan Gibbon | Hylobates moloch | Tropical rainforests of Java, Indonesia. | 50 |
| Javan Rhinoceros | Rhinoceros sondaicus | Dense rainforests, often near mud wallows and rivers, in Java, Indonesia. | 315 |
| Javan Warty Pig | Sus verrucosus | Forests and grasslands on the island of Java, Indonesia. | 125 |
| Jenkins’s Shrew | Crocidura jenkinsi | Grasslands and scrub forests, likely restricted to the Andaman Islands. | 7 |
| Jentink’s Duiker | Cephalophus jentinki | Dense lowland rainforests of West Africa. | 140 |
| Johnston’s Forest-shrew | Sylvisorex johnstoni | Mountain forests of Central Africa. | 7 |
| Johnston’s Genet | Genetta johnstoni | Tropical rainforests of West Africa. | 45 |
| Jordan’s Red-toothed Shrew | Sorex jordanicus | Forests and mountain areas, likely in the Middle East. | 6 |
| Joyce’s Titi | Plecturocebus joycei | Tropical rainforests of South America, specifically the Amazon basin. | 35 |
| Juan Fernandez Fur Seal | Arctocephalus philippii | Coastal waters and rocky shores of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, Chile. | 160 |
| Judean Jird | Meriones sacramenti | Semi-arid and desert regions of the Middle East, specifically the Levant. | 12 |
| Junín Red Squirrel | Sciurus pyrrhinus | Cloud forests and high-altitude forests of the Andes in Peru. | 22 |
| Junín Region Gracile Mouse Opossum | Gracilinanus dryas | Andean cloud forests and montane habitats of South America. | 11 |
| Jungle Cat | Felis chaus | Wetlands, grasslands, savannas, and scrub forests across Asia and parts of Africa. | 70 |
Descriptions
Jackson’s Mongoose
A relatively rare mongoose found in the forests of East Africa. It has a distinctive appearance with dark fur and a shaggy coat, primarily feeding on invertebrates and small vertebrates. It’s an elusive and poorly studied mammal.
Jaguar
The largest cat in the Americas, known for its powerful bite and distinctive rosette spots. This solitary apex predator is often found near water, capable of hunting a wide variety of prey, including caiman and capybaras.
Jaguarundi
A medium-sized wild cat from the Americas with a slender body and short legs. Unlike most felines, it is frequently active during the day. Its uniform coat color can range from reddish-brown to dark gray.
Japanese Dormouse
A small, arboreal rodent endemic to Japan, characterized by its long, bushy tail. Primarily nocturnal, it hibernates during colder months, spending its time in trees feeding on fruits, seeds, and insects.
Japanese Field Vole
A common rodent found across Japan, known for its adaptability to various habitats, including cultivated fields. It plays a significant role in local ecosystems as a primary prey animal for many predators.
Japanese Hare
A species of hare native to Japan, distinguishable from rabbits by its longer ears and legs. It thrives in diverse environments, from lowlands to mountains, and may change its fur color to white in snowy regions for camouflage.
Japanese Macaque
Also known as the “snow monkey,” this primate is native to Japan and famous for bathing in hot springs during winter. They are highly intelligent, social animals, often seen in large troops.
Japanese Serow
A goat-antelope endemic to Japan, known for its shaggy coat and backward-curving horns. It is a solitary animal, well-adapted to rugged terrain, found in dense forests and rocky areas of its native country.
Japanese Water Shrew
An aquatic shrew native to Japan, specially adapted for a semi-aquatic life. It possesses stiff hairs on its feet and tail that aid in swimming and foraging for aquatic insects and small fish in clear mountain streams.
Japanese Weasel
A small carnivore native to Japan, characterized by its slender body and short legs. It is a skilled hunter, preying on rodents, birds, and insects, adapting to various habitats, including human-modified landscapes.
Jask Jird
A species of rodent belonging to the gerbil family, found in the arid regions of southwestern Asia. It is adapted to desert life, primarily nocturnal, and lives in burrows to escape the heat.
Javan Gibbon
An endangered primate endemic to the island of Java, Indonesia. Known for its distinct vocalizations and agile brachiation through the forest canopy, it primarily feeds on fruit and leaves. Conservation efforts are crucial for its survival.
Javan Rhinoceros
One of the world’s rarest large mammals, critically endangered and found only in Ujung Kulon National Park, Java. This solitary rhino has a single horn and relies on dense vegetation for cover, mainly feeding on plants.
Javan Warty Pig
A wild pig species endemic to Java, characterized by distinctive facial warts. It inhabits forests and grasslands, often found near water sources, and is considered endangered due to habitat loss and hunting pressure.
Jenkins’s Shrew
A small, ground-dwelling shrew species found on certain islands, notable for its secretive nature. Like most shrews, it has a very high metabolism and primarily preys on insects and other small invertebrates.
Jentink’s Duiker
A large and rare forest antelope from West Africa, recognizable by its striking black and white coloration. It’s a solitary animal, typically found in dense lowland rainforests, and critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
Johnston’s Forest-shrew
A small shrew species found in the montane forests of Central Africa. It is a lesser-known mammal, active mainly at night, foraging for insects and other small invertebrates within the forest undergrowth.
Johnston’s Genet
A nocturnal, tree-dwelling carnivore native to West African rainforests, characterized by its slender body and spotted coat. It is rarely seen, preferring to hunt small vertebrates and insects in the dense forest canopy.
Jordan’s Red-toothed Shrew
A small, fast-metabolizing mammal from the shrew family, likely found in specific forested or mountainous regions. Its “red-toothed” name refers to the reddish pigment on its tooth enamel, common in many shrew species.
Joyce’s Titi
A species of New World monkey, recognized for its fluffy tail and varied vocalizations used for communication. These small primates typically live in small family groups, foraging for fruits, leaves, and insects in the forest canopy.
Juan Fernandez Fur Seal
A rare pinniped species endemic to the Juan Fernández Archipelago off Chile, critically endangered after severe hunting. They are excellent swimmers, feeding on fish and squid, and breed on remote rocky beaches.
Judean Jird
A small rodent from the gerbil family, found in the dry, rocky areas of the Middle East. It is well-adapted to arid environments, living in burrows and feeding primarily on seeds and vegetation.
Junín Red Squirrel
A vibrant reddish squirrel species endemic to the high-altitude cloud forests of the Junín region in Peru. It is an arboreal mammal, feeding on nuts, seeds, and fruits found in its specialized mountainous habitat.
Junín Region Gracile Mouse Opossum
A small, nocturnal marsupial with a slender build, typical of mouse opossums, found in the high-altitude forests of the Andes. It is an insectivorous and frugivorous animal, navigating the forest canopy using its long tail.
Jungle Cat
A medium-sized wild cat widely distributed across Asia, known for its uniformly sandy to reddish-brown coat and pointed ears. Unlike many cats, it is often active during the day and commonly found in wetlands, preying on small mammals and birds.