This list includes 45 Animals that start with M, from “Macaroni Penguin” to “Mussel”. They span mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates, and serve classroom lists, quick reference, and wildlife awareness.
Animals that start with M are species whose common names begin with the letter M and occur across global habitats. For example, the Macaroni penguin is a sub-Antarctic icon that also highlights conservation challenges.
Below you’ll find the table with Common name, Scientific name, Habitat, Description, Conservation status.
Common name: The everyday name helps you quickly recognize each species and match it to field guides or lesson plans.
Scientific name: The Latin binomial gives you a precise taxonomic identifier you can use for further research and citation.
Habitat: A short biome-plus-region summary shows where the species lives and where you might observe it.
Description: A concise 1–2 sentence overview highlights distinguishing traits, behavior, or ecology for quick understanding.
Conservation status: IUCN-style tags indicate extinction risk and help you prioritize species for study, reporting, or protection.
Animals that start with M
| Common Name | Scientific Name | Habitat | Conservation Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macaroni Penguin | Eudyptes chrysolophus | Subantarctic islands — Southern Ocean | VU — Vulnerable |
| Madagascar Hissing Cockroach | Gromphadorhina portentosa | Tropical rainforest floors — Madagascar | LC — Least Concern |
| Madagascan Sunset Moth | Chrysiridia rhipheus | Tropical forests — Madagascar | Not Evaluated |
| Magpie, Eurasian | Pica pica | Open woodlands and urban areas — Europe and Asia | LC — Least Concern |
| Mahi-mahi | Coryphaena hippurus | Tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide | LC — Least Concern |
| Mako Shark | Isurus oxyrinchus | Temperate and tropical seas worldwide | EN — Endangered |
| Malayan Tapir | Tapirus indicus | Tropical rainforests — Southeast Asia | EN — Endangered |
| Malayan Tiger | Panthera tigris jacksoni | Tropical forests — Peninsular Malaysia | CR — Critically Endangered |
| Mallard | Anas platyrhynchos | Wetlands and ponds — Northern Hemisphere | LC — Least Concern |
| Manatee, West Indian | Trichechus manatus | Shallow coastal waters and rivers — Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico | VU — Vulnerable |
| Mandarin Duck | Aix galericulata | Forests near ponds and lakes — East Asia | LC — Least Concern |
| Mandrill | Mandrillus sphinx | Tropical rainforests — West-Central Africa | VU — Vulnerable |
| Maned Wolf | Chrysocyon brachyurus | Grasslands and scrublands — South America | NT — Near Threatened |
| Manta Ray, Giant Oceanic | Mobula birostris | Tropical and temperate oceans worldwide | EN — Endangered |
| Marbled Cat | Pardofelis marmorata | Tropical forests — Southeast Asia and Himalayas | NT — Near Threatened |
| Margay | Leopardus wiedii | Tropical rainforests — Central and South America | NT — Near Threatened |
| Markhor | Capra falconeri | Mountainous regions — Central Asia | NT — Near Threatened |
| Marmoset, Pygmy | Cebuella pygmaea | Rainforests — Western Amazon Basin | VU — Vulnerable |
| Marsupial Mole, Southern | Notoryctes typhlops | Sandy deserts — Western Australia | LC — Least Concern |
| Meadowlark, Eastern | Sturnella magna | Grasslands and open fields — North and South America | NT — Near Threatened |
| Meerkat | Suricata suricatta | Deserts and grasslands — Southern Africa | LC — Least Concern |
| Mertens’ Water Monitor | Varanus mertensi | Freshwater rivers and lagoons — Northern Australia | VU — Vulnerable |
| Millipede, Giant African | Archispirostreptus gigas | Forest floors and soil — East Africa | Not Evaluated |
| Mink, American | Neogale vison | Rivers, lakes, and marshes — North America | LC — Least Concern |
| Minke Whale | Balaenoptera acutorostrata | Oceans and seas worldwide | LC — Least Concern |
| Mockingbird, Northern | Mimus polyglottos | Urban and rural areas — North America | LC — Least Concern |
| Mole, Star-nosed | Condylura cristata | Wet, low-lying areas — Eastern North America | LC — Least Concern |
| Monarch Butterfly | Danaus plexippus | Open fields and meadows — North and South America | EN — Endangered |
| Mongoose, Banded | Mungos mungo | Savannas and woodlands — Sub-Saharan Africa | LC — Least Concern |
| Monk Seal, Mediterranean | Monachus monachus | Coastal waters and sea caves — Mediterranean Sea | EN — Endangered |
| Moor Macaque | Macaca maura | Karst forests — Sulawesi, Indonesia | EN — Endangered |
| Moose | Alces alces | Boreal and mixed deciduous forests — Northern Hemisphere | LC — Least Concern |
| Moray Eel | Muraenidae family | Tropical and temperate seas worldwide | Varies by species |
| Motmot, Turquoise-browed | Eumomota superciliosa | Forests and scrublands — Central America | LC — Least Concern |
| Mountain Goat | Oreamnos americanus | Alpine and subalpine regions — North America | LC — Least Concern |
| Mountain Gorilla | Gorilla beringei beringei | High-altitude cloud forests — Central Africa | EN — Endangered |
| Mountain Lion | Puma concolor | Mountains, forests, and deserts — The Americas | LC — Least Concern |
| Mouse, House | Mus musculus | Human settlements worldwide | LC — Least Concern |
| Mudpuppy | Necturus maculosus | Rivers, lakes, and streams — Eastern North America | LC — Least Concern |
| Mudskipper | Oxudercinae subfamily | Intertidal mudflats and mangrove swamps — Indo-Pacific | Varies by species |
| Mule Deer | Odocoileus hemionus | Western North America | LC — Least Concern |
| Murre, Common | Uria aalge | Coastal cliffs and islands — North Atlantic and Pacific | LC — Least Concern |
| Musk Deer, Siberian | Moschus moschiferus | Mountain forests — Northeast Asia | VU — Vulnerable |
| Muskox | Ovibos moschatus | Arctic tundra — Greenland, Canada, Alaska | LC — Least Concern |
| Mussel, Zebra | Dreissena polymorpha | Freshwater lakes and rivers — Eurasia, North America | Not Evaluated |
Descriptions
Macaroni Penguin
Recognized by its distinctive yellow-orange crest, this penguin is the most numerous penguin species. They are highly social, forming massive breeding colonies that can contain hundreds of thousands of birds.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
One of the largest cockroach species, famous for the hissing sound it makes by forcing air through its spiracles. Unlike most cockroaches, it is wingless and relatively slow-moving.
Madagascan Sunset Moth
Considered one of the most beautiful insects in the world, this day-flying moth has iridescent wings that appear to change color. Its coloration is a warning to predators that it is toxic.
Magpie, Eurasian
A highly intelligent bird in the crow family, known for its black-and-white plumage and long tail. Magpies are famous for their complex social rituals and their supposed habit of collecting shiny objects.
Mahi-mahi
A brilliantly colored surface-dwelling fish, also known as dolphinfish. It’s renowned for its fast growth and is a popular game fish, prized for both its beauty and taste.
Mako Shark
The fastest shark in the world, capable of reaching speeds over 45 mph (72 kph). It is a powerful predator, feeding on fish like tuna and swordfish, and is known for its spectacular leaps from the water.
Malayan Tapir
The largest of the four tapir species and the only one native to Asia. It has a distinctive black-and-white pattern that provides camouflage. It is a solitary, nocturnal herbivore.
Malayan Tiger
One of the smallest tiger subspecies, it is the national animal of Malaysia. These apex predators are solitary hunters facing extreme threats from poaching and habitat loss, with fewer than 200 left in the wild.
Mallard
One of the most recognizable ducks, with the male’s iconic glossy green head. Mallards are adaptable dabbling ducks and the ancestor of most domestic duck breeds.
Manatee, West Indian
A large, slow-moving aquatic mammal also known as a “sea cow.” This gentle herbivore feeds on seagrass and faces significant threats from boat strikes and habitat degradation.
Mandarin Duck
Considered one of the world’s most beautiful ducks, the male has ornate, multi-colored plumage. It perches in trees and is a powerful symbol in East Asian culture, representing fidelity and love.
Mandrill
The world’s largest monkey, famous for the male’s vibrant red and blue facial coloration. They live in large, noisy groups called hordes and spend most of their time foraging on the forest floor.
Maned Wolf
Not a true wolf, this unique, long-legged canid looks more like a large fox on stilts. It is solitary and omnivorous, eating small animals and a specific fruit called the “wolf’s apple.”
Manta Ray, Giant Oceanic
The world’s largest ray, with a wingspan of up to 29 feet (8.8 meters). These filter-feeders use their cephalic fins to funnel plankton into their mouths and are known for their intelligence.
Marbled Cat
A small wild cat with a distinctive marbled coat that provides excellent camouflage. It is a superb climber with a very long tail for balance, spending much of its life in trees hunting birds and squirrels.
Margay
A small nocturnal wild cat expertly adapted for life in the trees. The margay is one of only two cat species with ankles flexible enough to climb down trees head-first, like a squirrel.
Markhor
A large species of wild goat known for its spectacular, tightly coiled, corkscrew-like horns. It is the national animal of Pakistan and a skilled climber, navigating steep, rocky terrain with ease.
Marmoset, Pygmy
The world’s smallest monkey, small enough to fit in a human hand. Pygmy marmosets live in small family groups and feed primarily on tree sap, which they access by gnawing holes in bark.
Marsupial Mole, Southern
A bizarre, blind, and earless marsupial that “swims” through sand. It rarely comes to the surface, spending nearly its entire life underground hunting for insects and larvae.
Meadowlark, Eastern
A songbird known for its beautiful, flute-like call. Despite its name, it’s not a lark but a member of the blackbird family, recognized by its bright yellow chest and black “V” marking.
Meerkat
A small, highly social mongoose famous for its upright, sentinel-like posture. Meerkats live in large family groups called mobs or gangs, working together to forage for food and watch for predators.
Mertens’ Water Monitor
A semi-aquatic lizard that is an excellent swimmer and diver. It has a long, powerful tail that acts as a rudder and can stay submerged for several minutes while hunting for fish, frogs, and crabs.
Millipede, Giant African
One of the largest millipedes in the world, growing up to 15 inches (38 cm) long. Despite their name meaning “thousand feet,” they typically have around 250 legs and are harmless decomposers.
Mink, American
A semi-aquatic member of the weasel family with sleek, dark, waterproof fur. Mink are fierce, solitary predators that hunt a variety of prey both in water and on land.
Minke Whale
One of the smallest baleen whales, known for its curious nature, often approaching boats. They have a distinctive white band on each flipper and feed on krill and small schooling fish.
Mockingbird, Northern
A renowned songbird famous for its ability to mimic the songs of other birds, as well as insects and amphibians. A single male mockingbird may learn up to 200 different songs in its lifetime.
Mole, Star-nosed
This unique mole is easily identified by its 22 pink, fleshy tentacles arranged in a star shape on its snout. This sensitive organ helps it find and identify food underground and underwater with incredible speed.
Monarch Butterfly
Famous for its incredible multi-generational migration from Canada and the U.S. to Mexico. Its bright orange wings warn predators of its toxicity, which it gets from eating milkweed as a caterpillar.
Mongoose, Banded
A highly social mongoose that lives in large packs. They are known for their cooperative behavior, foraging together as a group and sharing the duties of standing guard and caring for young.
Monk Seal, Mediterranean
One of the world’s most endangered marine mammals, with a population of fewer than 700 individuals. These seals rely on secluded sea caves for resting and giving birth, making them very sensitive to human disturbance.
Moor Macaque
A species of macaque with a dark brown or black coat, found only on a small part of the island of Sulawesi. They live in social groups and are threatened by habitat loss due to limestone quarrying.
Moose
The largest member of the deer family, easily recognized by the male’s massive, flat antlers. Despite their size, they are excellent swimmers and can run up to 35 mph (56 kph).
Moray Eel
A family of eels known for their long, snake-like bodies and powerful jaws. They often hide in crevices and burrows, lunging out to catch passing fish and crustaceans with a second set of jaws in their throat.
Motmot, Turquoise-browed
A colorful bird known for its unique tail feathers, which have bare shafts and racket-like tips. It often nests in tunnels dug into riverbanks and has a distinctive, clock-like call.
Mountain Goat
Not a true goat, it’s more closely related to antelopes. Its specialized cloven hooves have pads that provide grip on bare rock, making it one of the most sure-footed climbers in the world.
Mountain Gorilla
A large, powerful primate with thick black hair for insulation. Thanks to intensive conservation efforts, their population is slowly recovering but remains threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
Mountain Lion
A large, solitary cat also known as a cougar or puma. It is the most widespread large land mammal in the Western Hemisphere, a testament to its adaptability as a stealthy ambush predator.
Mouse, House
One of the most common mammals, found nearly everywhere humans live. It is known for its incredible adaptability, rapid breeding cycle, and its significant role in scientific research.
Mudpuppy
A large aquatic salamander that never loses its external, feathery red gills. It is nocturnal and lives its entire life underwater, walking along the bottom in search of crayfish, worms, and snails.
Mudskipper
An amphibious fish that can use its pectoral fins to “walk” on land. It breathes through its skin and the lining of its mouth and throat, spending much of its time out of the water.
Mule Deer
Named for its large, mule-like ears that can move independently to pinpoint sounds. When startled, they move in a distinctive bounding leap, with all four feet hitting the ground at once.
Murre, Common
A seabird that resembles a penguin but is capable of flight. It is a phenomenal diver, using its wings to “fly” underwater to depths of over 500 feet (150 m) to catch fish.
Musk Deer, Siberian
A small, primitive deer known for the male’s prominent “saber-teeth” canines and lack of antlers. It is heavily poached for its musk gland, a substance highly valued in traditional medicine and perfumes.
Muskox
An Arctic mammal with a thick, shaggy coat, named for the strong, musky odor produced by males during mating season. When threatened, they form a defensive circle around their young.
Mussel, Zebra
A small freshwater mussel named for its striped shell. It is a highly invasive species, clogging water intake pipes and disrupting aquatic ecosystems by outcompeting native species for food.
