This list includes 28 Small animals that start with S, from “Sailfin molly” to “Syrian hamster”. It covers pets and wild species under about 5 kg, useful for pet owners, students, and wildlife enthusiasts.
Small animals that start with S are small-bodied species whose common names begin with the letter S. Many, like the Syrian hamster, became popular pets in the early twentieth century and remain household favorites.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Lifespan, and Notes.
Common name: Shows the everyday name used for each species, helping you recognize and search for animals quickly.
Scientific name: Gives the species’ binomial name so you can find precise taxonomic information and international references.
Habitat: Summarizes typical environments where the animal lives, useful when imagining natural behavior or planning observation.
Lifespan: Lists average lifespans or realistic ranges to help you compare longevity for care or study planning.
Notes: Provides quick facts like pet suitability, size, or distinctive traits to guide further reading or care decisions.
Small animals that start with S
| Common name | Scientific name | Typical adult size | Lifespan (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sugar glider | Petaurus breviceps | 100–160 g; 24–30 cm | 10–12 |
| Syrian hamster | Mesocricetus auratus | 100–200 g; 13–18 cm | 2–3 |
| Siberian hamster | Phodopus sungorus | 25–50 g; 8–10 cm | 1.5–3 |
| Sun conure | Aratinga solstitialis | 100–140 g; 30 cm | 15–30 |
| Song sparrow | Melospiza melodia | 20–40 g; 12–18 cm | 3–5 |
| Savannah sparrow | Passerculus sandwichensis | 15–30 g; 12–15 cm | 2–5 |
| Sand martin | Riparia riparia | 10–18 g; 11–13 cm | 3–6 |
| Snowy plover | Charadrius nivosus | 40–60 g; 16–19 cm | 5–10 |
| Sedge warbler | Acrocephalus schoenobaenus | 8–12 g; 11–13 cm | 2–4 |
| Short-snouted seahorse | Hippocampus hippocampus | 5–25 g; 10–15 cm | 1–5 |
| Small skipper | Thymelicus sylvestris | 0.05–0.15 g; 2.5–3.0 cm | 0.1 |
| Siamese fighting fish | Betta splendens | 3–12 g; 6–7 cm | 2–4 |
| Sailfin molly | Poecilia latipinna | 10–50 g; 6–12 cm | 3–5 |
| Silverfish | Lepisma saccharinum | 0.10–0.30 g; 1–2 cm | 2–8 |
| Spotted turtle | Clemmys guttata | 200–400 g; 8–12 cm | 20–50 |
| Spotted salamander | Ambystoma maculatum | 20–100 g; 15–25 cm | 20–30 |
| Striped skunk | Mephitis mephitis | 700–3,000 g; 40–70 cm | 2–4 |
| Southern flying squirrel | Glaucomys volans | 60–95 g; 18–26 cm | 5–6 |
| Spotted towhee | Pipilo maculatus | 28–40 g; 17–22 cm | 5–11 |
| Scarlet-chested sunbird | Chalcomitra senegalensis | 7–12 g; 10–12 cm | 3–8 |
| Short-eared owl | Asio flammeus | 200–350 g; 34–43 cm | 6–10 |
| Smoky shrew | Sorex fumeus | 5–12 g; 5–10 cm | 1–2 |
| Sooty tern | Onychoprion fuscatus | 150–180 g; 33–38 cm | 10–25 |
| Silver dollar | Metynnis argenteus | 100–300 g; 12–15 cm | 5–10 |
| Spanish dancer | Hexabranchus sanguineus | 200–1,000 g; 20–40 cm | 1–3 |
| Sand lizard | Lacerta agilis | 10–60 g; 12–20 cm | 5–10 |
| Skeleton shrimp | Caprella linearis | 0.01–0.10 g; 1–3 cm | 0.5–1 |
| Steller’s jay | Cyanocitta stelleri | 80–120 g; 30–34 cm | 7–13 |
Descriptions
Sugar glider
Arboreal marsupial from eastern Australia and New Guinea; nocturnal glider with a skin membrane that lets it soar between trees.
Syrian hamster
Desert rodent native to Syria and nearby regions; solitary pet species widely kept for its compact size and cheek pouches.
Siberian hamster
Dwarf hamster from Central Asia and Siberia; adapts to cold, showing seasonal fur color changes and compact size ideal for small cages.
Sun conure
Vibrant parrot from northeastern South America; social and noisy companion bird known for bright yellow-orange plumage.
Song sparrow
Common North American songbird of marshes, fields and gardens; famous for varied and complex song phrases.
Savannah sparrow
Widespread open-country bird across North America; streaked back and distinctive short, sharp song.
Sand martin
Small swallow nesting in riverbank burrows across Europe, Asia and the Americas; long-distance migrant feeding on aerial insects.
Snowy plover
Coastal and inland shorebird of the Americas; pale camouflaged plumage and vulnerable populations on beaches.
Sedge warbler
Reedbed insectivore across Europe and western Asia; energetic singer during breeding season and migratory.
Short-snouted seahorse
Coastal Atlantic and Mediterranean seahorse; males carry eggs in a brood pouch and inhabit seagrass or rubble.
Small skipper
Common grassland butterfly across Europe; males patrol grassy paths and adults live only a few weeks.
Siamese fighting fish
Freshwater fish from Southeast Asia kept in tanks; males are territorial and build bubble nests to rear young.
Sailfin molly
Brackish and freshwater livebearer from the Americas; males have tall dorsal fins and are popular aquarium fish.
Silverfish
Primitive, wingless insect found worldwide in human dwellings; feeds on starches and can damage books and fabrics.
Spotted turtle
Small freshwater turtle of eastern North America; glossy dark shell with yellow spots and long natural lifespan.
Spotted salamander
Woodland amphibian of eastern North America; breeds in vernal pools and displays bright yellow dorsal spots.
Striped skunk
Nocturnal omnivore across North America living in forests, fields and suburbs; famous for its defensive spray.
Southern flying squirrel
Small nocturnal glider in eastern North American forests; uses a skin patagium to glide between trees and nests in cavities.
Spotted towhee
Ground-foraging bird of western North America; bold black-and-white plumage with rufous sides and scratch-foraging behavior.
Scarlet-chested sunbird
Nectar-feeding bird across sub-Saharan Africa; males show a brilliant scarlet chest and rapid hovering flights.
Short-eared owl
Open-country owl breeding across much of the world; often hunts at dusk and dawn and nests on the ground.
Smoky shrew
Tiny insectivorous mammal of northeastern North American forests and wetlands; very high metabolism and brief lifespan.
Sooty tern
Pelagic seabird of tropical oceans that nests in dense island colonies; excellent long-distance flier.
Silver dollar
Round, silvery South American freshwater aquarium fish; peaceful schooling species with disc-like body.
Spanish dancer
Colorful nudibranch (sea slug) found on tropical reefs; known for dramatic undulating swims when threatened.
Sand lizard
Small ground-dwelling lizard of Europe and parts of Asia; prefers sandy dunes and heathlands and shows seasonal color changes.
Skeleton shrimp
Slender marine amphipod found on algae and submerged structures in temperate seas; resembles a tiny stick and clings to substrates.
Steller’s jay
Forest-dwelling corvid of western North America; bold, crest-topped bird known for loud calls and mimicry.