Here you’ll find 29 Mammals that start with N that begin with N, organized from “Nabarlek” to “Nyala”. These species range from tiny marsupials to large antelopes and are useful for classrooms, field guides, and quick reference.

Mammals that start with N are mammal species whose common names begin with the letter N. Notable examples include the Nyala, a striking African antelope prized in southern cultures and safari guides.

Below you’ll find the table with the common name, scientific name, habitat, and average size (cm).

Common name: The familiar name used in guides so you can quickly recognize and discuss each species.

Scientific name: The Latin binomial that you can use to confirm exact species identity across languages and regions.

Habitat: Short habitat categories show where each species lives so you can focus searches or lessons.

Average size (cm): Typical adult length in centimetres gives a quick sense of each animal’s scale.

Mammals that start with N

Common nameScientific nameHabitatAverage adult length (cm)
Naked mole-ratHeterocephalus glabersubterranean9
NarwhalMonodon monocerosmarine450
NilgaiBoselaphus tragocamelusgrassland200
NumbatMyrmecobius fasciatusforest28
North American beaverCastor canadensisfreshwater82
North Atlantic right whaleEubalaena glacialismarine1,500
Northern elephant sealMirounga angustirostrismarine370
Northern fur sealCallorhinus ursinusmarine165
Northern hairy-nosed wombatLasiorhinus krefftiigrassland95
Northern quollDasyurus hallucatusforest22
Norway lemmingLemmus lemmustundra13
New Zealand sea lionPhocarctos hookerimarine210
Northern muriquiBrachyteles hypoxanthusforest55
Nubian ibexCapra nubianarocky113
NyalaTragelaphus angasiimixed130
NoctuleNyctalus noctulaforest11
North American porcupineErethizon dorsatumforest70
Norway ratRattus norvegicusurban23
Northern bog lemmingSynaptomys borealiswetlands12
Northern collared lemmingDicrostonyx groenlandicustundra11
North American river otterLontra canadensisfreshwater88
Nicobar treeshrewTupaia nicobaricaforest26
Nilgiri tahrNilgiritragus hylocriusrocky110
NabarlekPetrogale concinnarocky48
Neotropical otterLontra longicaudisfreshwater76
Nilgiri martenMartes gwatkinsiiforest50
Northern flying squirrelGlaucomys sabrinusforest29
Northern white-cheeked gibbonNomascus leucogenysforest50
New Zealand lesser short-tailed batMystacina tuberculataforest6

Descriptions

Naked mole-rat
Hairless, social burrower from East Africa famous for eusocial colonies and long-lived queens.
Narwhal
Arctic toothed whale noted for the long spiral tusk (a tooth) found mainly in males.
Nilgai
Large Asian antelope with a sturdy body and stocky legs, common in Indian plains.
Numbat
Small Australian marsupial that feeds on termites and has distinctive dorsal stripes.
North American beaver
Large freshwater rodent that builds dams and lodges and shapes aquatic habitats.
North Atlantic right whale
Huge baleen whale, critically endangered, slow-moving and often found near coasts of the North Atlantic.
Northern elephant seal
Large pinniped with sexual dimorphism; males have an inflatable proboscis used in displays.
Northern fur seal
Pelagic seal with dense fur historically hunted for pelts; breeds on North Pacific islands.
Northern hairy-nosed wombat
Critically endangered Australian marsupial with a broad nose and burrowing habits on grassy plains.
Northern quoll
Small carnivorous marsupial from Australia with spotted fur and arboreal tendencies.
Norway lemming
Stocky Arctic rodent famous for population cycles and bold coloration.
New Zealand sea lion
Endemic pinniped of New Zealand, breeds on sandy beaches and rocky shores.
Northern muriqui
A large, gentle New World monkey (woolly spider monkey) endemic to Brazilian Atlantic forest.
Nubian ibex
Desert-adapted wild goat with impressive curved horns, found in rocky cliffs of the Middle East.
Nyala
Slender spiral-horned antelope of southern Africa with striking sexual dimorphism and chestnut coat.
Noctule
A common European bat (noctule) that forages high over woodlands and urban areas at dusk.
North American porcupine
Large arboreal rodent with quills used for defense, widespread across North American forests.
Norway rat
Familiar commensal rodent found worldwide in cities, sewers and farmland.
Northern bog lemming
Small, short-tailed rodent of boreal bogs and wet meadows.
Northern collared lemming
Arctic rodent that changes coat color seasonally and digs in snow for winter survival.
North American river otter
Playful semi-aquatic mustelid that thrives in rivers, lakes and coastal waters.
Nicobar treeshrew
Island treeshrew from the Nicobar Islands, active, insectivorous and diurnal.
Nilgiri tahr
Endemic mountain ungulate of South India, adapted to steep, rocky slopes.
Nabarlek
Small Australian rock-wallaby that lives among boulder fields and crevices.
Neotropical otter
A medium-sized otter found in tropical freshwater rivers and wetlands of the Americas.
Nilgiri marten
Rare, agile mustelid from India’s Western Ghats with a distinctive golden throat.
Northern flying squirrel
Nocturnal gliding squirrel of North American forests that uses skin flaps to glide between trees.
Northern white-cheeked gibbon
Arboreal gibbon with loud songs and strong pair bonds, native to Southeast Asian forests.
New Zealand lesser short-tailed bat
Unique ground-foraging bat from New Zealand that walks well and pollinates native plants.
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