The Complete List of Mammals That Start with K showcases 43 unique species from around the world. These mammals range from small rodents like Kaiser’s Rock Rat to the elusive Kwongan Antechinus. Many of these animals inhabit forests or savannas and display fascinating adaptations such as echolocation in bats or impressive climbing skills in arboreal species. This collection highlights the rich scientific diversity found within mammals starting with the letter K.
Explore the detailed table below to learn more about each mammal and their attributes.
Scientific Name This column provides the official Latin name for each mammal. Using scientific names ensures accuracy and helps you identify species regardless of local or common names.
Habitat Here, you will find the natural environment where each mammal lives. Habitats include forests, savannas, deserts, and more, showing the variety of ecosystems that support these animals.
Average Size (cm) This shows the typical body length of the mammal in centimeters. Size gives you an idea of the animal’s scale, from tiny bats to larger antelopes.
Description This section summarizes key traits, behaviors, and ecological roles of each mammal. It helps you understand what makes each species special and important in its environment.
Mammals that start with K
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Habitat | Average Size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser’s Rock Rat | Aethomys kaiseri | Subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist savanna | 15 |
| Kalinowski’s Agouti | Dasyprocta kalinowskii | Subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests, moist montane forests in Peru | 55 |
| Kalinowski’s Mouse Opossum | Marmosa kalinowskii | Subtropical or tropical moist montane forests in Peru | 12 |
| Karimui Ringtail Possum | Pseudochirulus caroli | Montane forests of Papua New Guinea | 30 |
| Karoo Rock Sengi | Elephantulus pilicaudus | Rocky outcrops and arid shrubland in the Karoo region of South Africa | 12 |
| Kashmir Cave Bat | Myotis longipes | Caves, particularly in mountainous regions of the Himalayas | 5.5 |
| Kashmir Field Mouse | Apodemus rusiges | Forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields in the Kashmir region | 10 |
| Kashmir Musk Deer | Moschus cupreus | High-altitude forests and alpine scrubland in the Himalayas | 90 |
| Kashmir Vole | Hyperacrius fertilis | Alpine meadows and subalpine forests in the Himalayas | 10 |
| Kees’s Shrew | Crocidura keesi | Tropical moist lowland forests in Indonesia (Sulawesi) | 7 |
| Kemp’s Gerbil | Gerbilliscus kempi | Savannas, grasslands, and agricultural areas across West and Central Africa | 12.5 |
| Kemp’s Thicket Rat | Grammomys kempi | Tropical and subtropical forests and woodlands in East and Central Africa | 12 |
| Kenyan Coastal Galago | Galagoides cocos | Coastal forests and woodland thickets in Kenya and Tanzania | 12.5 |
| Kenyan Mole Shrew | Surdisorex norae | Montane forests and bamboo thickets in Kenya | 9 |
| Khajuria’s Leaf-nosed Bat | Hipposideros khajuriai | Tropical dry deciduous forests and caves in India | 5.5 |
| Khasi Hills Vole | Neodon sikimensis | Subtropical and temperate montane forests and grasslands in Northeast India | 10.5 |
| Kilimanjaro Shrew | Crocidura allex | Montane forests and moorland on Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania | 7 |
| Kinda Baboon | Papio kindae | Miombo woodlands and savannas of Angola, DR Congo, Zambia | 70 |
| King Jird | Meriones rex | Arid and semi-arid desert regions in the Middle East | 17.5 |
| Kinkajou | Potos flavus | Tropical rainforests of Central and South America | 50 |
| Kipunji | Rungwecebus kipunji | High-altitude montane forests in Tanzania | 87.5 |
| Kirk’s Dik-dik | Madoqua kirkii | Arid bushlands and savannas of East Africa | 60 |
| Kivu Shrew | Crocidura kivu | Montane forests and bamboo thickets in Central Africa | 7.5 |
| Klaver’s Leaf-nosed Bat | Hipposideros juliae | Tropical moist lowland forests in West Africa | 5.5 |
| Klipspringer | Oreotragus oreotragus | Rocky outcrops and mountainous terrain across sub-Saharan Africa | 82.5 |
| Koala | Phascolarctos cinereus | Eucalyptus forests of eastern and southern Australia | 72.5 |
| Kob | Kobus kob | Floodplains and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa | 170 |
| Kodkod | Leopardus guigna | Temperate rainforests and evergreen forests of central and southern Chile and Argentina | 44 |
| Koopman’s Cavy | Cavia anolaimae | Tropical and subtropical dry forests in Colombia | 25 |
| Koopman’s Forest Mouse | Hylomyscus hyrax | Tropical moist lowland forests in East Africa | 9 |
| Koopman’s Monticolomys | Monticolomys koopmani | High-altitude montane forests and grasslands in Madagascar | 11 |
| Koopman’s Pipistrelle | Pipistrellus murrayi | Dry and semi-arid regions of Christmas Island (extinct) | 4 |
| Koopman’s Tuco-tuco | Ctenomys koopmani | Arid grasslands and shrublands in Argentina | 22.5 |
| Korean Field Mouse | Apodemus peninsulae | Forests, grasslands, and cultivated areas across Korea, Northeast Asia | 10 |
| Korean Hare | Lepus coreanus | Open grasslands, cultivated fields, and forested areas across the Korean Peninsula | 50 |
| Kouprey | Bos sauveli | Open forests and savannas of Southeast Asia (likely extinct) | 220 |
| Kowari | Dasyuroides byrnei | Arid grasslands and gibber plains of central Australia | 17 |
| Kozlov’s Pika | Ochotona kozlovi | Mountain steppes and rocky areas in China | 17.5 |
| Kozlov’s Pygmy Jerboa | Salpingotus kozlovi | Sand deserts and semi-deserts in Central Asia | 4.5 |
| Krefft’s Glider | Petaurus notius | Eucalyptus forests of eastern Australia | 18 |
| Kuhl’s Pipistrelle | Pipistrellus kuhlii | Mediterranean and temperate regions, often near human settlements in Europe, Africa, Asia | 4.5 |
| Kultarr | Antechinomys laniger | Arid and semi-arid grasslands and shrublands of central Australia | 9.5 |
| Kwongan Antechinus | Antechinus minimus maritimus | Heathlands and wetlands in southwestern Australia | 11.5 |
Descriptions
Kaiser’s Rock Rat
A rodent from Central and East Africa, found in various wooded habitats from forests to savannas. Known for its adaptability, this common rat is a significant part of the African ecosystem.
Kalinowski’s Agouti
This medium-sized rodent, native to Peru’s moist forests, is known for its coarse fur. It plays a crucial role as a seed disperser, burying seeds for later consumption and helping forest regeneration.
Kalinowski’s Mouse Opossum
A small, nocturnal marsupial inhabiting Peru’s cloud forests. Agile and arboreal, it primarily feeds on insects and fruits, aiding seed dispersal. Like other opossums, it’s well-suited to life among the trees.
Karimui Ringtail Possum
An arboreal marsupial found in Papua New Guinea’s high-altitude forests. It uses its prehensile tail for gripping branches while navigating the canopy. Primarily a folivore and frugivore, it contributes to forest health.
Karoo Rock Sengi
A small elephant shrew endemic to South Africa’s Karoo Desert. With a distinctive long snout and large ears, it thrives in rocky, arid habitats. This insectivorous mammal skillfully forages among rocks.
Kashmir Cave Bat
Found in the Himalayan region, particularly Kashmir, this bat roosts in caves, often in large colonies. An insectivorous species, it uses echolocation to hunt prey in the dark, aiding natural pest control.
Kashmir Field Mouse
A common rodent native to the Kashmir Valley and surrounding areas. This adaptable mouse inhabits various environments, including forests and cultivated lands. It primarily feeds on seeds and insects, playing a role in its local ecosystem.
Kashmir Musk Deer
An endangered musk deer from high-altitude Himalayan forests. Males have long fangs instead of antlers and a valuable musk gland. This shy, solitary browser is critically threatened by poaching and habitat loss.
Kashmir Vole
A small rodent found in the mountainous regions of Kashmir. It inhabits high-altitude meadows and forests, often living in burrows. Voles are important herbivores, contributing to seed dispersal and acting as a food source for predators.
Kees’s Shrew
Endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia, this tiny, insectivorous mammal inhabits tropical lowland forests. Foraging for invertebrates in the leaf litter, shrews possess very high metabolisms, necessitating frequent feeding to survive.
Kemp’s Gerbil
Common throughout West and Central Africa, this gerbil thrives in savannas and agricultural lands. Known for its burrowing habits, this nocturnal rodent feeds on seeds, insects, and vegetation, sometimes impacting crops.
Kemp’s Thicket Rat
An arboreal rodent found in wooded habitats across East and Central Africa. Characterized by its long tail for balance while climbing, it primarily feeds on fruits and seeds, aiding in forest regeneration.
Kenyan Coastal Galago
A small, nocturnal primate from Kenyan and Tanzanian coastal forests. Known for large eyes and vocalizations, it swiftly moves through trees, feeding on insects, fruits, and tree gum.
Kenyan Mole Shrew
A rare shrew species endemic to Kenya’s montane forests. Adapted for a semi-fossorial lifestyle with strong claws for digging, it primarily feeds on soil invertebrates, playing a vital role in soil aeration.
Khajuria’s Leaf-nosed Bat
Found in parts of India, this bat is characterized by its complex nose leaf used for echolocation. An insectivorous species, it typically roosts in caves, hunting flying insects at night.
Khasi Hills Vole
A species of vole found in Northeast India’s high-altitude regions. These small rodents inhabit forests and grasslands, living in burrows. Primarily herbivorous, they feed on plant matter, impacting local vegetation.
Kilimanjaro Shrew
An endemic shrew species found exclusively on Mount Kilimanjaro. It inhabits various altitudinal zones, from forests to moorlands. This tiny, insectivorous mammal plays a crucial role in the mountain’s unique ecosystem.
Kinda Baboon
A distinct baboon species known for its smaller size and docile temperament. Found in Central African woodlands, they live in large social groups. These omnivorous primates forage for a wide range of foods.
King Jird
A large gerbil species native to the Arabian Peninsula. Well-adapted to arid desert environments, it lives in burrows to escape heat. This nocturnal rodent feeds on seeds and desert vegetation.
Kinkajou
A nocturnal, arboreal mammal from Central and South American rainforests. Related to raccoons, it has a prehensile tail and rotates ankles 180 degrees. Primarily frugivorous, it also pollinates flowers.
Kipunji
A critically endangered Old World monkey discovered in 2003, endemic to remote Tanzanian montane forests. Known for its loud calls, this arboreal primate feeds on leaves, flowers, and fruits, facing severe threats.
Kirk’s Dik-dik
A small, shy antelope species found in East African dry bushlands. Known for its “dik-dik” alarm call, it navigates dense vegetation. These monogamous browsers thrive on leaves and shoots, rarely drinking water.
Kivu Shrew
A shrew species found in the montane forests of Central Africa’s Albertine Rift Valley. This small, insectivorous mammal controls invertebrate populations. It is a secretive creature, often found in leaf litter.
Klaver’s Leaf-nosed Bat
Native to West African rainforests, this bat possesses unique nasal structures for sophisticated echolocation. It uses this ability to navigate and hunt insects in dense forest environments during the night.
Klipspringer
An agile antelope renowned for its climbing ability on rocky terrain across sub-Saharan Africa. It walks on hoof tips and is monogamous, browsing on plants among rocks.
Koala
An iconic Australian marsupial exclusively eating eucalyptus leaves. Arboreal and slow-moving, it spends most of its life in trees, sleeping extensively. Koalas are vulnerable to habitat loss and disease.
Kob
A medium-sized antelope common in sub-Saharan African savannas and floodplains. Males have lyre-shaped horns. Kobs form large herds and are known for their lekking behavior during breeding season.
Kodkod
The smallest wild cat in the Americas, found in Chile and Argentina’s temperate forests. This nocturnal hunter preys on small mammals and birds. Its spotted coat provides excellent camouflage in dense undergrowth.
Koopman’s Cavy
A species of cavy, related to guinea pigs, from parts of South America. These small, herbivorous rodents forage for grasses and vegetation. Often social, they live in small groups in grasslands or open woodlands.
Koopman’s Forest Mouse
A small rodent species found in East African tropical forests. These nocturnal mice are primarily arboreal, moving nimbly through trees. They feed on fruits, seeds, and insects, aiding seed dispersal.
Koopman’s Monticolomys
An endemic rodent found exclusively in Madagascar’s high-altitude forests and grasslands. This small, mouse-like creature specializes in montane habitats, feeding on seeds and invertebrates within its unique island ecosystem.
Koopman’s Pipistrelle
A small, now extinct, bat species once endemic to Christmas Island. It was a nocturnal insectivore, navigating by echolocation. Its disappearance highlights conservation challenges due to habitat degradation and introduced predators.
Koopman’s Tuco-tuco
A burrowing rodent species native to Argentina’s arid regions. These subterranean mammals dig extensive tunnel systems, foraging for roots and tubers. They are known for their distinctive “tuc-tuc” calls from their burrows.
Korean Field Mouse
A widely distributed rodent found across the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. This adaptable mouse inhabits various environments, including forests and farmlands, feeding on seeds and insects.
Korean Hare
Endemic to the Korean Peninsula, this agile hare is known for its powerful hind legs, enabling swift escapes. These herbivores feed on grasses and other vegetation in open areas, contributing to local ecosystems.
Kouprey
A large, wild bovine native to Southeast Asia, now likely extinct. Known for its distinctive long dewlap and curved horns in males. This elusive forest ox was a grazer of open woodlands and savannas.
Kowari
A small, carnivorous marsupial from Australia’s arid gibber plains. Known for its brush-tipped tail, it’s a fierce nocturnal predator of insects and small vertebrates. It builds burrows for shelter in its harsh environment.
Kozlov’s Pika
A small lagomorph found in China’s high-altitude steppes and rocky areas. These diurnal mammals collect and store hay for winter. They are highly vocal, emitting sharp alarm calls to warn others.
Kozlov’s Pygmy Jerboa
One of the world’s smallest rodents, found in Central Asian deserts. This nocturnal jerboa has disproportionately large hind legs for hopping and a long, tufted tail. It feeds on seeds and insects.
Krefft’s Glider
A small, nocturnal gliding marsupial native to eastern Australia. Similar to a sugar glider, it uses a membrane between its limbs for gliding between trees, feeding on nectar, sap, pollen, and insects.
Kuhl’s Pipistrelle
A common and widespread bat species across Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Often seen foraging for insects in urban and agricultural areas, it roosts in buildings, tree hollows, or rock crevices.
Kultarr
A small, insectivorous marsupial native to Australia’s arid interior. Resembling a mouse with long hind legs, it moves with a unique hopping gait. It is nocturnal, hunting insects and small reptiles in its desert habitat.
Kwongan Antechinus
A small, carnivorous marsupial found in the heathlands and wetlands of southwestern Australia. These agile predators hunt insects and other invertebrates. Males are known for a unique, synchronous “suicidal” breeding season.