This list includes 24 Small animals that start with I, from “Iberian midwife toad” to “Ivory gull”. These species are mostly small amphibians, birds, invertebrates, or pet-friendly mammals used in education and wildlife observation.
Small animals that start with I are species whose common names begin with the letter I and are generally small in adult size. For example, the Iberian midwife toad is famed for male parental care, a behavior often noted in natural history.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, and Lifespan.
Common name: The widely used English name helps you find species quickly and match pet or field guides.
Scientific name: The binomial name gives exact species identification and helps you locate authoritative information globally.
Habitat: A short habitat phrase tells you where the animal lives and where you can expect to find it.
Lifespan: Typical adult lifespan gives realistic expectations for care, study, or ecological comparisons across species.
Small animals that start with I
| Common name | Scientific name | Habitat | Typical adult mass/size | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inca tern | Larosterna inca | coastal rocky shores (Peru, Chile) | 150–200 g | Striking dark-grey tern with a white facial moustache; coastal seabird of Peru and Chile, not a pet. Lifespan ~10–12 years. |
| Ivory gull | Pagophila eburnea | high Arctic sea ice, coastal waters | 350–500 g | Small, all-white Arctic gull often near pack ice; scavenger and specialist of cold seas. Lifespan ~10–15 years. |
| Inca dove | Columbina inca | open scrub and urban areas (Americas) | 45–55 g | Small, long-tailed dove common in arid and suburban areas; often seen at feeders. Lifespan ~5–10 years. |
| Indian palm squirrel | Funambulus palmarum | urban gardens, parks, woodlands (South Asia) | 120–200 g (20–25 cm) | Diurnal tree squirrel often kept as tolerated local wildlife; agile, vocal, lifespan ~2–5 years in wild. |
| Island fox | Urocyon littoralis | Channel Islands scrub and woodlands (California) | 1.4–3.8 kg | Small endemic fox of the Channel Islands, social and territorial; conservation concern. Lifespan 5–14 years. |
| Iriomote cat | Prionailurus iriomotensis | subtropical island forests (Iriomote Island, Japan) | 3–4.5 kg | Rare small wild cat endemic to one Japanese island; nocturnal predator. Lifespan ~8–10 years. |
| Iberian ribbed newt | Pleurodeles waltl | Mediterranean ponds, slow freshwater habitats | 20–30 cm (total length) | Large, robust newt from Iberia and Morocco; kept by some hobbyists. Lifespan ~10–15 years. |
| Iberian midwife toad | Alytes cisternasii | rocky streams and scrub (Iberian Peninsula) | 4–6 cm | Small terrestrial toad; males carry eggs on hind legs. Lifespan 4–12 years. |
| Imperial moth | Eacles imperialis | deciduous forests, woodlands (North America) | wingspan 9–16 cm | Large colorful Saturniid moth; adults live briefly (1–2 months) and larvae feed on trees. |
| Isabella tiger moth | Pyrrharctia isabella | meadows, gardens, fields (North America) | wingspan 3–6 cm | Moth whose caterpillar is the familiar “woolly bear.” Adults live a few weeks. |
| Indigo bunting | Passerina cyanea | brushy fields and woodland edges (North America) | 13–20 g (11–13 cm) | Bright blue male seed-eating songbird, commonly seen at edges and shrubby habitats. Lifespan 2–8 years. |
| Indian flying fox | Pteropus medius | tropical forests and urban roosts (South Asia) | 600–1,200 g | Large fruit bat often seen in city roosts; important seed disperser. Lifespan 15–30 years. |
| Indian fox | Vulpes bengalensis | grasslands and scrub (South Asia) | 1.5–4 kg | Small, slender fox adapted to open country; not a pet. Lifespan ~6–7 years in wild. |
| Island night lizard | Xantusia riversiana | island scrub, rocky cover (Channel Islands) | 7–13 cm (snout–vent) | Small secretive lizard endemic to Channel Islands; surprisingly long-lived, up to 30+ years. |
| Island scrub-jay | Aphelocoma insularis | island oak scrub (Santa Cruz Island, California) | 80–100 g (26–30 cm) | Endemic jay with limited range; bold and curious, studied for island ecology. Lifespan ~8–11 years. |
| Isabelline shrike | Lanius isabellinus | open dry habitats, steppes (Eurasia) | 30–45 g (17–21 cm) | Small predatory songbird that impales prey on thorns; migratory in parts of its range. Lifespan 2–4 years. |
| Isabelline wheatear | Oenanthe isabellina | open dry habitats and steppes (Eurasia) | 20–40 g (14–16 cm) | Ground-dwelling insectivorous passerine, migratory for wintering. Lifespan 2–5 years. |
| Indian ringneck | Psittacula krameri | woodlands and urban areas (South Asia; introduced elsewhere) | 120–170 g (36–40 cm incl. tail) | Popular parakeet in the pet trade; colorful and vocal. Lifespan 20–30 years in captivity. |
| Indian roller | Coracias benghalensis | open country, trees and roadside perches (South Asia) | 75–140 g (25–30 cm) | Brightly colored bird often seen perched conspicuously; culturally significant in South Asia. Lifespan ~6–8 years. |
| Indian pitta | Pitta brachyura | moist forest undergrowth (South and Southeast Asia) | 80–110 g (17–20 cm) | Stocky, colorful ground-dwelling bird; migratory in parts of range. Lifespan ~5–8 years. |
| Indian bullfrog | Hoplobatrachus tigerinus | ponds, marshes, rice fields (South Asia) | 200–500 g (10–18 cm) | Large terrestrial frog commonly found near water; sometimes consumed locally. Lifespan ~5–12 years. |
| Italian wall lizard | Podarcis siculus | rocky walls, ruins, urban areas (Mediterranean) | 15–30 cm (total length) | Common adaptable lizard of southern Europe; often seen on walls and rocks. Lifespan ~3–7 years. |
| Icterine warbler | Iduna icterina | deciduous woodlands and scrub (Europe, Asia) | 10–15 g (11–13 cm) | Slender migratory warbler with melodious song; breeds across Eurasia. Lifespan ~2–4 years. |
| Imperial amazon | Amazona imperialis | montane rainforest (Dominica) | 400–600 g | Rare, colorful parrot endemic to Dominica; popular in aviculture historically but now protected. Lifespan 40–60 years. |
Descriptions
Inca tern
Ivory gull
Inca dove
Indian palm squirrel
Island fox
Iriomote cat
Iberian ribbed newt
Iberian midwife toad
Imperial moth
Isabella tiger moth
Indigo bunting
Indian flying fox
Indian fox
Island night lizard
Island scrub-jay
Isabelline shrike
Isabelline wheatear
Indian ringneck
Indian roller
Indian pitta
Indian bullfrog
Italian wall lizard
Icterine warbler
Imperial amazon