This list includes 30 small animals that start with R, from “Red squirrel” to “Rusty-spotted cat”. These species include familiar pets and widespread wild animals commonly called small due to their size and habits. Use it for quick identification, pet care notes, or classroom reference.

[Small animals that start with R] are small species whose common names begin with R and usually weigh under 5 kg. Notably, the rusty-spotted cat ranks among the world’s smallest wild felines.

Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, and Lifespan.

Common name: Shows the everyday name you likely search for, helping you spot or discuss the animal quickly.

Scientific name: Gives the binomial name so you can find precise species information and avoid confusion between similar animals.

Habitat: Summarizes typical environments where the animal lives, which helps you understand its needs and likely locations.

Lifespan: Provides average or typical lifespans to guide care expectations or classroom comparisons across species.

Small animals that start with R

Common name Scientific name Habitat Lifespan Description
Red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris Eurasia, temperate woodlands 3–7 years Agile tree-dwelling rodent with reddish fur; common in parks and forests. Typical adult mass ~200–400 g, clearly a small mammal.
Ring-tailed lemur Lemur catta Madagascar, dry forests and scrub 15–20 years Social primate famous for its striped tail and vocal groups. Adults weigh ~2–3 kg, small for a primate and popular in zoos.
Rock pigeon Columba livia Worldwide (introduced), urban areas 10–15 years (wild 3–6 years) Common city dove with variable plumage; adapts to buildings. Adult mass ~200–400 g, a small bird species.
Red-eared slider Trachemys scripta North American freshwater ponds and lakes 20–40 years Popular pet turtle with distinctive red ear patch. Adults typically 20–30 cm and under ~3–4 kg.
Rufous hummingbird Selasphorus rufus Western North America, gardens and open woodlands 3–5 years Tiny migratory hummingbird with rufous plumage; feeds on nectar. Adults weigh ~3–4 g, among smallest birds.
Ruby-throated hummingbird Archilochus colubris Eastern North America, woodlands and gardens 3–5 years Iconic nectar-feeding bird with iridescent throat in males. Adults ~3–4 g, excellent long-distance migrant.
Rosy barb Pethia conchonius South Asia, freshwater rivers and ponds 5–8 years Hardy, colorful aquarium fish popular with hobbyists. Adults about 5–7 cm, small schooling cyprinid.
Ring-necked dove Streptopelia capicola Sub-Saharan Africa, savannas and open woodlands 5–10 years Graceful dove with pale collar; commonly seen on powerlines. Adult mass ~120–180 g, a small pigeon/dove.
Ring-necked snake Diadophis punctatus North America, woodlands and grasslands 4–8 years Small, secretive snake with ringed neck and mild venom for prey. Adults 20–45 cm long but lightweight, small snake.
Rock hyrax Procavia capensis Africa, rocky outcrops and savannas 10–12 years Rodent-like mammal (actually a hyrax) that basks on rocks. Adults ~2–5 kg, on the upper edge of “small” mammals.
Red-bellied woodpecker Melanerpes carolinus Eastern North America, deciduous woodlands 4–8 years Medium-small woodpecker with barred back and pale belly. Adults ~70–100 g, often seen on tree trunks.
Red-backed salamander Plethodon cinereus Eastern North America, moist forests and leaf litter 5–10 years Small terrestrial salamander with reddish dorsal stripe. Adults 4–7 cm body length, tiny amphibian.
Red-backed vole Myodes gapperi North America, boreal and temperate forests 1–3 years Small woodland rodent feeding on seeds and fungi. Adults ~20–50 g, typical bank-dwelling vole.
Red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa Western Europe, farmland and scrub 3–6 years Ground-dwelling gamebird with red legs and patterned plumage. Adults ~500–1,000 g, small galliform.
Red-winged blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus North America, marshes and wetlands 2–4 years Common marsh passerine with red shoulder patches on males. Adults ~40–90 g, a modest-sized songbird.
Red-breasted nuthatch Sitta canadensis North America, coniferous forests 2–4 years Small energetic bird that climbs tree trunks headfirst. Adults ~8–12 g, compact and acrobatic.
Red-eyed tree frog Agalychnis callidryas Central America, lowland rainforests 5–8 years (captive) Bright green arboreal frog with red eyes; popular pet. Adults 4–7 cm, clearly a small amphibian.
Rose-ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri Africa/Asia, woodlands and urban areas 15–30 years Popular green parakeet often kept as pet; adaptable in cities. Adults ~120–180 g, small to medium parrot.
Rusty-spotted cat Prionailurus rubiginosus South Asia, dry forests and scrub 10–12 years (captive) One of the world’s smallest wild cats, spotted and elusive. Adults ~1–1.6 kg, very small felid.
Riverine rabbit Bunolagus monticularis South Africa, riverine shrublands 5–7 years Critically endangered rabbit adapted to riverine habitat. Adults ~1–1.8 kg, small lagomorph.
Redhead Aythya americana North American freshwater lakes and marshes 10–15 years Medium-sized diving duck with reddish head in males. Adults ~600–1,200 g, a relatively small waterfowl.
Red-bellied piranha Pygocentrus nattereri South American rivers and floodplains 10–15 years (captive) Well-known schooling piranha with red belly. Adults ~0.5–1 kg, common in aquaria and wild.
Ribbon eel Rhinomuraena quaesita Indo‑Pacific coral reefs and lagoons 5–10 years Long, ribbon-like moray eel popular in aquaria. Can reach ~60–100 cm but very low body mass, a small-bodied eel.
Red-clawed mangrove crab Perisesarma bidens Indo-Pacific mangroves and estuaries 2–5 years Small semi-terrestrial crab kept by hobbyists. Carapace ~3–6 cm, compact and agile.
Redback spider Latrodectus hasselti Australia, urban and natural dry habitats 1–3 years Small venomous widow spider with red stripe on female. Body length ~6–10 mm (females larger).
Ruddy turnstone Arenaria interpres Coastal shores worldwide, rocky and sandy beaches 8–10 years Stocky shorebird that flips stones for food. Adults ~100–200 g, a compact wader.
Roseate tern Sterna dougallii Coastal temperate and tropical shores worldwide 10–20 years Graceful seabird with pale plumage and forked tail. Adults ~100–150 g, small tern species.
Rockhopper penguin Eudyptes chrysocome Subantarctic rocky coasts and islands 10–20 years Small, crested penguin species that hops on rocks. Adults ~2–3 kg, among the smaller penguins.
Red-legged frog Rana aurora Pacific Northwest marshes and forests 4–8 years Small green-brown frog often near ponds and streams. Adults ~4–8 cm snout-to-vent, typical small frog.
Red-breasted merganser Mergus serrator Northern lakes and coastal waters 10–15 years Diving duck with serrated bill for fish. Adults ~700–1,200 g, relatively small sea duck.

Descriptions

Red squirrel
Ring-tailed lemur
Rock pigeon
Red-eared slider
Rufous hummingbird
Ruby-throated hummingbird
Rosy barb
Ring-necked dove
Ring-necked snake
Rock hyrax
Red-bellied woodpecker
Red-backed salamander
Red-backed vole
Red-legged partridge
Red-winged blackbird
Red-breasted nuthatch
Red-eyed tree frog
Rose-ringed parakeet
Rusty-spotted cat
Riverine rabbit
Redhead
Red-bellied piranha
Ribbon eel
Red-clawed mangrove crab
Redback spider
Ruddy turnstone
Roseate tern
Rockhopper penguin
Red-legged frog
Red-breasted merganser
If you think there is a missing term, let us know using the contact form.