This list includes 22 Small animals that start with F, from “Fairy penguin” to “Frilled lizard”. Many entries are popular pets, small wild birds, or compact reptiles, useful for pet owners, students, and wildlife enthusiasts.
Small animals that start with F are species whose common names begin with the letter F and are typically small in adult size. For example, the “Fairy penguin” (also called the little penguin) is the world’s smallest penguin and a frequent subject of coastal ecotourism.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, and Lifespan.
Common name: The everyday English name used to identify each species, helping you find care guides, photos, and quick references.
Scientific name: Binomial Latin name provides exact species identification so you can verify facts and locate authoritative sources.
Habitat: Concise habitat phrase shows where the species lives in the wild or typical captive settings you might encounter.
Lifespan: Average adult lifespan gives a realistic expectation for care, study, or species comparisons you may need.
Small animals that start with F
| Name | Scientific name | Habitat | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferret | Mustela putorius furo | Domestic, grasslands, burrows | 5–10 years |
| Fennec fox | Vulpes zerda | Desert dunes | 10–14 years |
| Field vole | Microtus agrestis | Meadows, grasslands | 1–1.5 years |
| Field sparrow | Spizella pusilla | Grasslands, shrubland | 2–5 years |
| Fence lizard | Sceloporus undulatus | Woodlands, fences, rocks | 2–4 years |
| Fire-bellied toad | Bombina orientalis | Ponds, marshes | 5–10 years |
| Fire salamander | Salamandra salamandra | Deciduous forests, streams | 10–20 years |
| Firecrest | Regulus ignicapilla | Woodlands, gardens | 2–4 years |
| Flame angelfish | Centropyge loricula | Coral reefs, lagoons | 5–7 years |
| French angelfish | Pomacanthus paru | Coral reefs | 10–15 years |
| Fairy penguin | Eudyptula minor | Coastal, islands | 6–10 years |
| Fat-tailed dwarf lemur | Cheirogaleus medius | Dry forests | 12–15 years |
| Flat-headed cat | Prionailurus planiceps | Wetlands, lowland forests | 8–12 years |
| Fox squirrel | Sciurus niger | Woodlands, urban parks | 4–8 years |
| Fork-tailed flycatcher | Tyrannus savana | Open woodlands, savannas | 3–6 years |
| Four-eyed fish | Anableps anableps | Brackish estuaries, mangroves | 3–5 years |
| Florida mouse | Podomys floridanus | Pine forests, scrub | 1–3 years |
| Franklin’s bumblebee | Bombus franklini | Grasslands, meadows | 1 year (queen) |
| Frilled lizard | Chlamydosaurus kingii | Dry woodlands, savanna | 5–10 years |
| Fox snake | Pantherophis vulpinus | Grasslands, farmlands | 10–15 years |
| Ferruginous pygmy-owl | Glaucidium brasilianum | Woodlands, scrub | 7–10 years |
| Florida scrub-jay | Aphelocoma coerulescens | Scrub, oak woodlands | 6–12 years |
Descriptions
Ferret
Domesticated mustelid commonly kept as a pet; adults ~0.7–2.0 kg, slender body, curious personality, needs enrichment and handling.
Fennec fox
Small desert fox with huge ears; adults ~1.5–3.5 kg, nocturnal, sometimes kept as exotic pets, adapted for sandy, arid habitats.
Field vole
Common small rodent in Eurasian grasslands; adults ~20–50 g, short tail, prolific breeder, important prey species.
Field sparrow
Small seed-eating bird; adults ~13–18 g, streaked brown plumage, frequent in open grassy areas and hedgerows.
Fence lizard
Stout-bodied North American lizard; adults ~10–20 g, keeled scales, basks on sunny perches, common in gardens.
Fire-bellied toad
Small colorful amphibian often kept in captivity; adults ~10–25 g, bright ventral warning colors, semi-aquatic.
Fire salamander
Stocky European salamander; adults ~30–150 g, black with yellow markings, nocturnal and moisture-dependent.
Firecrest
Tiny energetic songbird; adults ~5–7 g, bright crest, often found in coniferous and mixed woodlands.
Flame angelfish
Vibrant marine aquarium fish; adults ~80–150 g, ~10–12 cm, striking red-orange with black vertical bars.
French angelfish
Large reef angelfish kept in large tanks; adults ~1.0–2.5 kg, bold black and yellow pattern, reef-associated.
Fairy penguin
Small penguin species; adults ~1.0–1.5 kg, ~30–40 cm tall, lives in colonies on southern coasts, often kept in aquaria/exhibits.
Fat-tailed dwarf lemur
Small nocturnal lemur from Madagascar; adults ~300–600 g, stores fat in tail, sleeps in tree holes, sometimes in collections.
Flat-headed cat
Small wild cat adapted to wetlands; adults ~1.2–2.6 kg, flattened skull, fish-eating habits, rare and secretive.
Fox squirrel
Large tree squirrel common in North America; adults ~400–1,100 g, reddish-gray fur, active in trees and lawns.
Fork-tailed flycatcher
Slender passerine with long tail; adults ~40–70 g, bold aerial insectivore, migratory in many regions.
Four-eyed fish
Unique surface-dwelling fish with split eyes; adults ~50–200 g, swims at surface to view above and below water.
Florida mouse
Endemic rodent of Florida habitats; adults ~40–70 g, long tail, nocturnal, declining with habitat loss.
Franklin’s bumblebee
Rare North American bumblebee; workers small (~0.2–0.3 g), social annual colony, important pollinator.
Frilled lizard
Dramatic Australian lizard with neck frill; adults ~300–800 g, expands frill when threatened, arboreal and diurnal.
Fox snake
Nonvenomous North American snake; adults ~300–1,000 g, patterned brown scales, often kept by enthusiasts.
Ferruginous pygmy-owl
Tiny owl species; adults ~60–100 g, bold calls, inhabits open woodlands and edges, active by day and night.
Florida scrub-jay
Endemic North American corvid; adults ~70–100 g, cooperative breeder, restricted to Florida scrub habitats.