This list includes 33 Mammals that start with R, from “Raccoon” to “Russian desman”. These species range from small insectivores to large omnivores and occur across global habitats, useful for study and identification.

Mammals that start with R are a diverse group including rodents, carnivores, and semi-aquatic species. Notably, the raccoon became a familiar urban animal in many cities worldwide.

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

Common name: The everyday name helps you quickly recognize each species and match it to field guides or classroom materials.

Scientific name: The Latin name gives precise identity and helps you verify species across regions and scientific lists.

Habitat: Short habitat tags describe typical environments so you can understand where each mammal usually lives or forages.

Average size (cm): Approximate adult length in centimeters gives you a quick sense of scale for comparison and study.

Mammals that start with R

Common nameScientific nameHabitatAverage size (cm)
RaccoonProcyon lotorforest55 (head-body)
Raccoon dogNyctereutes procyonoidesforest50 (head-body)
Red foxVulpes vulpesgrassland68 (head-body)
Red pandaAilurus fulgensforest57 (head-body)
Red squirrelSciurus vulgarisforest25 (head-body)
Red kangarooOsphranter rufusgrassland120 (head-body)
Red deerCervus elaphusgrassland213 (head-body)
Ring-tailed lemurLemur cattaforest43 (head-body)
Ring-tailed catBassariscus astutusdesert40 (head-body)
Riverine rabbitBunolagus monticularisgrassland35 (head-body)
Ringed sealPusa hispidamarine120 (total)
Ribbon sealHistriophoca fasciatamarine165 (total)
Ross sealOmmatophoca rossiimarine190 (total)
Risso’s dolphinGrampus griseusmarine330 (total)
Rough-toothed dolphinSteno bredanensismarine240 (total)
Red wolfCanis rufusforest95 (head-body)
Roan antelopeHippotragus equinusgrassland230 (head-body)
Ruppell’s foxVulpes rueppellidesert45 (head-body)
Rufous mouse lemurMicrocebus rufusforest13 (head-body)
Rufous hare-wallabyLagorchestes hirsutusgrassland35 (head-body)
Rufous elephant shrewElephantulus rufescensgrassland11 (head-body)
Red-bellied lemurEulemur rubriventerforest38 (head-body)
Red-fronted lemurEulemur rufifronsforest40 (head-body)
Red-tailed phascogalePhascogale caluraforest15 (head-body)
Red brocketMazama americanaforest135 (head-body)
Red-handed tamarinSaguinus midasforest24 (head-body)
Reeves’s muntjacMuntiacus reevesiforest95 (head-body)
Rhesus macaqueMacaca mulattaforest50 (head-body)
Rock hyraxProcavia capensismontane40 (head-body)
Royal antelopeNeotragus pygmaeusforest30 (head-body)
ReindeerRangifer tarandustundra200 (head-body)
Ring-tailed coatiNasua nasuaforest50 (head-body)
Russian desmanDesmana moschatafreshwater20 (head-body)

Descriptions

Raccoon
Widespread North American omnivore with dexterous forepaws and a masked face; adapts to forests and urban areas, often found near water.
Raccoon dog
East Asian canid with raccoon-like markings and a dense coat; omnivorous and able to enter torpor in cold regions.
Red fox
Large, adaptable fox found across the Northern Hemisphere; reddish coat, bushy tail, and varied diet from small mammals to fruit.
Red panda
Small, arboreal mammal of Asian montane forests; reddish fur, bushy ringed tail, bamboo-based diet and vulnerable conservation status.
Red squirrel
Tree-dwelling Eurasian squirrel with a bushy tail and ear tufts; hoards seeds and is common in temperate forests.
Red kangaroo
The largest living marsupial from Australian open plains; powerful hind legs, large tail, and can cover long distances by hopping.
Red deer
Large deer of Eurasia and parts of Africa with branched antlers (males); occupies open woodland and grassland habitats.
Ring-tailed lemur
Madagascan primate with a long black-and-white ringed tail used for balance and social signaling; lives in dry forests and scrub.
Ring-tailed cat
Also called the ringtail, a nocturnal North American carnivore with a long ringed tail; agile climber in arid, rocky habitats.
Riverine rabbit
Critically endangered South African rabbit restricted to Karoo riverine habitat; secretive, nocturnal, and highly threatened by habitat loss.
Ringed seal
Small Arctic seal with characteristic ring-shaped pelage patterns; main prey are fish and invertebrates under sea ice.
Ribbon seal
Distinctive North Pacific seal with bold white flipper stripes and ringed body pattern; breeds on pack ice.
Ross seal
A circumpolar Southern Ocean seal with a small head and high-pitched calls; least-studied Antarctic seal.
Risso’s dolphin
Large, blunt-headed dolphin with heavy scarring and a preference for deep offshore waters; eats squid.
Rough-toothed dolphin
Slender, dark dolphin found in warm temperate and tropical seas; named for its uniquely textured teeth.
Red wolf
Endangered North American canid with reddish coat tones; historically widespread but now limited to small populations and reintroduction sites.
Roan antelope
Large African antelope with backward-curving horns and a reddish-brown coat; prefers open woodlands and savanna.
Ruppell’s fox
Small desert fox of North Africa and Arabia with large ears for heat dissipation; nocturnal and omnivorous.
Rufous mouse lemur
Tiny nocturnal primate from Madagascar with reddish fur; feeds on insects and fruit, often in humid forests.
Rufous hare-wallaby
Small Australian macropod with rufous fur; historically widespread in arid grasslands, now limited and conservation-managed.
Rufous elephant shrew
Also called a rufous sengi; small insectivorous African mammal with a long snout and swift, bounding movement.
Red-bellied lemur
Madagascan primate with reddish belly fur; inhabits eastern rainforests and lives in small social groups.
Red-fronted lemur
Medium-sized lemur of Madagascar’s dry and humid forests; notable for facial coloration and social groups.
Red-tailed phascogale
Small Australian carnivorous marsupial with a bushy tail; nocturnal and declining due to habitat loss and predators.
Red brocket
Neotropical deer of dense forests with a reddish-brown coat; solitary and elusive browser.
Red-handed tamarin
Small South American monkey with bright red or orange hands and feet; lives in Amazonian forest canopy.
Reeves’s muntjac
Small deer native to East Asia, now introduced elsewhere; known for barking calls and small antlers.
Rhesus macaque
Widely distributed Asian primate adaptable to forests and urban areas; important in research and culturally significant.
Rock hyrax
Small, stocky African mammal that resembles a rodent but is related to elephants; lives on rocky outcrops in groups.
Royal antelope
The world’s smallest antelope from West African forests; tiny, shy and solitary, about the size of a rabbit.
Reindeer
Also called caribou in North America; circumpolar cervid adapted to cold tundra with seasonal migrations.
Ring-tailed coati
South American coati with a long ringed tail and an omnivorous diet; diurnal and social in groups.
Russian desman
Aquatic insectivore from eastern Europe and Russia with a long snout and webbed feet; lives in slow rivers and ponds.
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