There are 28 mammals that start with the letter V, each with unique features and habitats around the world. These mammals range from tiny bats and shrews to large wild relatives like the vicuña. Many of these species are found in specific or rare environments, such as volcanic highlands, tropical forests, or isolated islands. Notably, some are critically endangered or have fascinating adaptations like burrowing underground or living in family groups.
Below is the complete list of mammals that start with V, organized for clear understanding and easy reference.
Mammal This column shows the common name of each animal, making it simple to recognize and identify the species.
Scientific name Here, the formal Latin name of each mammal is provided. This helps ensure accuracy and consistency across scientific and educational contexts.
Habitat This section describes where the mammal lives, such as forests, mountains, or coastal areas. Knowing the habitat helps you understand the environmental needs and behaviors of each species.
Average size (cm) This column gives the typical length or height of the mammal in centimeters, providing a sense of scale for each animal.
Description This part offers a brief overview of key traits like diet, social behavior, and distinctive physical features that define each mammal.
Mammals that start with V
| Mammal | Scientific name | Habitat | Average size (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van der Decken’s Sifaka | Propithecus deckenii | Dry deciduous forests of western Madagascar | 45-55 |
| Van Gelder’s Bat | Chiroderma salvini | Tropical and subtropical forests, caves, and hollow trees in Central and South America | 7-9 |
| Van Zyl’s Golden Mole | Cryptochloris zyli | Sandy coastal areas and fynbos shrubland in Western Cape, South Africa | 9-13 |
| Vancouver Island Marmot | Marmota vancouverensis | Alpine meadows of Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada | 65-70 |
| Vanzolini’s Bald-faced Saki | Pithecia vanzolinii | Tropical rainforests in the western Amazon basin, Brazil | 30-50 |
| Vaquita | Phocoena sinus | Shallow, murky waters of the northern Gulf of California, Mexico | 140-150 |
| Variable Squirrel | Sciurus variegatoides | Tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, and plantations from southern Mexico to Panama | 20-30 |
| Variegated Spider Monkey | Ateles hybridus | Tropical rainforests of Colombia and Venezuela | 45-55 |
| Variegated Squirrel | Sciurus variegatoides | Tropical and subtropical forests, woodlands, and plantations from southern Mexico to Panama | 20-30 |
| Velvety Free-tailed Bat | Molossus molossus | Wide range including forests, grasslands, and urban areas from southern USA to Argentina | 6-9 |
| Velvety Myotis | Myotis velifer | Diverse habitats including deserts, forests, and grasslands, often near water sources, in North and Central America | 5-6 |
| Venezuelan Funnel-eared Bat | Natalus tumidirostris | Dry and humid forests, often in caves or mines for roosting, across Central and South America | 4-5 |
| Vera Cruz Shrew | Sorex veraecrucis | Montane cloud forests and humid pine-oak forests in Veracruz, Mexico | 6-8 |
| Verreaux’s Sifaka | Propithecus verreauxi | Spiny forests, dry deciduous forests, and gallery forests of southwestern Madagascar | 45-55 |
| Vervet Monkey | Chlorocebus pygerythrus | Savannas, woodlands, and urban areas across sub-Saharan Africa | 40-60 |
| Vicuña | Vicugna vicugna | High alpine grasslands (puna) of the Andes mountains in South America | 150-180 |
| Vieira’s Titi | Plecturocebus vieirai | Gallery forests and dry savannas in the Brazilian Cerrado | 30-40 |
| Vietnamese Leaf-nosed Bat | Hipposideros griffini | Limestone caves in tropical forests of Vietnam | 5-6 |
| Vietnamese Mouse-deer | Tragulus versicolor | Dry evergreen forests in Vietnam | 40-50 |
| Virginia Opossum | Didelphis virginiana | Forests, woodlands, urban areas, and agricultural lands across North and Central America | 35-50 |
| Visayan Spotted Deer | Rusa alfredi | Rainforests and secondary forests on the Visayan islands of the Philippines | 125-130 |
| Visayan Warty Pig | Sus cebifrons | Tropical rainforests and secondary forests on the Visayan islands of the Philippines | 90-120 |
| Visagie’s Golden Mole | Chrysochloris visagiei | Sandy areas in coastal fynbos and renosterveld shrubland in Western Cape, South Africa | 9-11 |
| Volcano Big-eared Bat | Histiotus montanus | High-altitude grasslands and forests in the Andes mountains of South America | 5-6 |
| Volcano Harvest Mouse | Reithrodontomys chrysopsis | High-altitude grasslands and pine-oak forests near volcanoes in central Mexico | 7-9 |
| Volcano Mouse | Neotomodon alstoni | High-altitude grasslands and coniferous forests in the volcanic belt of central Mexico | 11-13 |
| Volcano Rabbit | Romerolagus diazi | High-altitude pine and fir forests near volcanoes in central Mexico | 27-32 |
| Volcano Shrew | Sorex vulcani | High-altitude cloud forests and páramo grasslands in the mountains of Costa Rica and Panama | 6-7 |
Descriptions
Van der Decken’s Sifaka
A lemur species native to Madagascar, known for its striking white fur. They are diurnal, arboreal, and primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, flowers, and fruits. Van der Decken’s Sifakas live in small family groups and are an endangered primate.
Van Gelder’s Bat
A species of leaf-nosed bat found from Mexico to Ecuador. It has distinctive white stripes on its face and back. These insectivorous bats often roost in small colonies within caves or hollow trees.
Van Zyl’s Golden Mole
An elusive and critically endangered golden mole found only in a small region of South Africa. It is a fossorial mammal, perfectly adapted for burrowing through sand, using its powerful forelimbs to hunt invertebrates underground.
Vancouver Island Marmot
One of the rarest mammals in the world, endemic to Vancouver Island. These large, ground-dwelling squirrels are known for their dark chocolate-brown fur and distinctive calls. They are highly social, living in colonies, and hibernate for extended periods.
Vanzolini’s Bald-faced Saki
A New World monkey distinguished by its black body and a contrasting bald, pale face. Found exclusively in a specific region of the Brazilian Amazon, these primates are arboreal, spending most of their lives in trees, feeding on fruits and seeds.
Vaquita
The smallest and most endangered cetacean, found only in a small area of the Gulf of California. Vaquitas are often caught in illegal gillnets, leading to their critically low numbers. They have a stout body and distinctive dark rings around their eyes.
Variable Squirrel
A medium-sized tree squirrel known for its highly variable coat color, ranging from reddish-brown to black, often with patches of different shades. It is found in Central America, inhabiting a variety of wooded environments and feeding on nuts, fruits, and seeds.
Variegated Spider Monkey
A critically endangered New World monkey characterized by its long, prehensile tail and agile movements through the forest canopy. Its fur is typically dark, and it plays a vital role in seed dispersal within its South American rainforest habitat.
Variegated Squirrel
This Central American tree squirrel, also known as the Variable Squirrel, is notable for its highly diverse fur patterns. Its coloration can vary greatly even within the same population, ranging from solid dark to patched browns, reds, or grays.
Velvety Free-tailed Bat
A widespread bat species found across the Americas, known for its soft, velvety fur and distinctive free tail. These nocturnal insectivores are swift flyers, often found foraging in open areas. They frequently form large colonies in various roosting sites.
Velvety Myotis
A medium-sized bat common in the southwestern United States and Mexico. As its name suggests, it has very soft, velvety fur. This species is insectivorous, feeding primarily on moths and beetles, and is known for forming large maternity colonies in caves.
Venezuelan Funnel-eared Bat
A small, delicate bat found in parts of Central and South America, characterized by its distinctive funnel-shaped ears. These bats are insectivorous, primarily catching their prey in flight. They prefer to roost in warm, humid caves, often in large colonies.
Vera Cruz Shrew
A small, elusive shrew endemic to the mountainous regions of Veracruz, Mexico. It inhabits high-altitude forests and is part of a diverse group of insectivorous mammals. Little is known about its specific behaviors due to its secretive nature.
Verreaux’s Sifaka
A large, diurnal lemur native to Madagascar, famous for its unique vertical clinging and leaping locomotion. Its fur is predominantly white with a dark face. Verreaux’s Sifakas live in family groups and are primarily herbivorous, feeding on leaves, flowers, and fruits.
Vervet Monkey
A common Old World monkey found widely across sub-Saharan Africa. Known for their grayish fur, black faces, and the males’ bright blue scrotums. Vervet monkeys are highly social, omnivorous, and exhibit complex alarm calls for different predators.
Vicuña
A wild camelid native to the high Andes, prized for its extremely fine and valuable wool. Vicuñas are well-adapted to their harsh mountain environment, grazing on sparse vegetation. They are known for their slender build and graceful appearance.
Vieira’s Titi
A recently described species of New World monkey found in the Cerrado region of Brazil. Like other titi monkeys, they are known for their monogamous pair bonds and distinctive duetting calls. They primarily feed on fruits, leaves, and insects.
Vietnamese Leaf-nosed Bat
A relatively newly discovered bat species known for its distinctive leaf-like nose structure, used in echolocation. Endemic to Vietnam, it roosts in limestone caves within tropical forests, foraging for insects in the surrounding vegetation.
Vietnamese Mouse-deer
Also known as the silver-backed chevrotain, this tiny ungulate was thought lost to science for decades before its rediscovery in 2019. It is characterized by its small size, delicate build, and silvery-gray fur along its back.
Virginia Opossum
The only marsupial native to North America, known for its prehensile tail and habit of “playing dead” when threatened. Virginia opossums are omnivorous scavengers, adaptable to various environments, including human settlements.
Visayan Spotted Deer
A critically endangered deer species endemic to the Visayan islands of the Philippines, known for its distinctive reddish-brown coat with white spots. It is a shy, nocturnal forest dweller, primarily browsing on leaves and fruits.
Visayan Warty Pig
A critically endangered wild pig native to the Visayan islands in the Philippines, named for the three pairs of fleshy warts on the male’s face. These omnivorous pigs play a crucial role in their ecosystem, foraging for roots, fruits, and invertebrates.
Visagie’s Golden Mole
A rare and highly localized species of golden mole found only in a small region of South Africa. Like other golden moles, it is a fossorial mammal, perfectly adapted for burrowing underground, hunting invertebrates in its sandy habitat.
Volcano Big-eared Bat
A species of vesper bat found in the Andean regions of South America, named for its proportionally large ears. These nocturnal bats forage for insects in mountainous environments, often roosting in rock crevices, caves, or human structures.
Volcano Harvest Mouse
A small rodent endemic to the volcanic highlands of central Mexico. It inhabits grassy and forested areas at high elevations, feeding primarily on seeds and insects. These mice are adapted to cooler mountain climates.
Volcano Mouse
A medium-sized rodent native to the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt. It prefers cool, moist habitats, often found in high-altitude forests and grasslands. Volcano mice are primarily herbivorous, feeding on seeds and plant matter.
Volcano Rabbit
The world’s second-smallest rabbit, endemic to the volcanic highlands of central Mexico. Also known as zacatuche, it has short, rounded ears and dense fur. Volcano rabbits are crepuscular, living in burrows and feeding on grasses and herbs.
Volcano Shrew
A small, elusive shrew found in the high-altitude volcanic regions of Costa Rica and Panama. It inhabits dense, humid cloud forests and grasslands, where it forages for insects and other small invertebrates on the forest floor.