Mammals That Start With B
Babirusa – The babirusa is a fascinating and unusual species of pig native to the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi, Togian, and Buru. What sets the babirusa apart is its impressive curved tusks that can grow upwards from the upper jaw, sometimes even penetrating through the skin and curving back towards the forehead.
Baboon – Baboons are large and social primates found in various parts of Africa and are known for their distinctive appearance with dog-like snouts, long limbs, and sharp canine teeth. These highly adaptable animals live in diverse habitats, from savannahs to forests, and exhibit complex social structures within their troops.
Bactrian Camel – The Bactrian camel, native to the steppes of Central Asia, is a large and distinctive species of camel with two humps on its back. Known for its ability to endure extreme desert conditions, the Bactrian camel has long been used by humans for transportation, as well as for its wool, milk, and meat.
Badger – Badgers are medium-sized mammals known for their stout bodies, short legs, and distinctive black and white facial markings. They are skilled diggers and live in underground burrow systems called setts, where they build extensive networks of tunnels and chambers for shelter and raising their young.
Baleen Whale – Baleen whales, also known as mysticetes, are a group of large marine mammals characterized by their baleen plates instead of teeth. These plates, made of keratin, allow them to filter-feed on small marine organisms, such as krill and plankton, and can be found in oceans worldwide, showcasing impressive migration patterns and diverse species such as the blue whale, humpback whale, and fin whale.
Balkan Lynx – The Balkan lynx, also known as the Macedonian lynx, is a critically endangered wild cat species found in the Balkan Peninsula, primarily in North Macedonia and Albania. With its characteristic tufted ears, long legs, and dense fur, the Balkan lynx is a solitary and elusive predator, relying on its keen senses and agility to hunt small mammals in its mountainous habitat.
Banded Palm Civet – The banded palm civet, also known as the banded civet or the banded mongoose civet, is a small mammal native to Southeast Asia. It is recognized for its distinct appearance, featuring dark bands across its body and a long, slender tail. With its primarily arboreal nature, the banded palm civet is an agile climber and feeds on a variety of fruits, insects, and small vertebrates.
Bandicoot – Bandicoots are small to medium-sized marsupials found in Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands. Known for their unique appearance, bandicoots have a pointed snout, small rounded ears, and strong hind legs, which allow them to hop and dig for food.
Bat – Bats are fascinating mammals that belong to the order Chiroptera and are the only mammals capable of sustained flight. With their remarkable echolocation abilities, diverse diets, and important ecological roles as pollinators and insect controllers, bats play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of ecosystems worldwide.
Bat Eared Fox – The bat-eared fox is a small, insectivorous fox species found in the grasslands and savannas of Africa. It is named for its large ears, which resemble those of bats, and it primarily feeds on insects, using its excellent hearing and sharp teeth to locate and catch its prey.
Bear – Bears are large mammals belonging to the family Ursidae, and they are found in various parts of the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and South America. Known for their powerful build, sharp claws, and great strength, bears have diverse diets and habitats, ranging from the polar bear in the Arctic to the panda bear in bamboo forests, and they play important ecological roles as apex predators and seed dispersers.
Beaver – Beavers are large, semiaquatic rodents known for their remarkable ability to construct complex dams and lodges. Found in North America, Europe, and Asia, these industrious animals play a crucial role in shaping their ecosystems by creating wetlands and altering water flow, benefiting a variety of plant and animal species.
Bengal Tiger – Bengal tigers, also known as Indian tigers, are majestic and endangered big cats native to the Indian subcontinent. Known for their striking orange coat with dark stripes, Bengal tigers are powerful predators that inhabit various habitats, from mangrove swamps to dense forests, and are considered the national animal of India.
Benin Tree Hyrax – The Benin tree hyrax, also known as the West African tree hyrax, is a small mammal found in the forests of West Africa, including Benin, Togo, and Ghana. Similar to other hyrax species, it has a stout body, rounded ears, and short legs, and it spends most of its time in trees, feeding on leaves, fruits, and bark.
Bhutan Takin – The Bhutan takin, also known as the “Dong Gyem Tsey” or “the cattle chamois of Bhutan,” is a unique and rare mammal found in the mountainous regions of Bhutan. With its stout body, arched nose, and distinctive appearance, the Bhutan takin holds a special cultural significance in Bhutanese folklore and is considered the national animal of Bhutan.
Bighorn Sheep – Bighorn sheep are iconic wild sheep species native to North America, known for their impressive curved horns and agility in mountainous habitats. The males, called rams, engage in fierce head-to-head battles during the mating season to establish dominance and breeding rights, showcasing their strength and adaptation to rugged environments.
Bilby – Bilbies are small marsupials native to Australia, recognized for their distinctive long ears, pointy snouts, and silky fur. With their burrowing habits and nocturnal nature, bilbies play an important role in their ecosystems by contributing to soil aeration and seed dispersal, while also being significant cultural symbols for indigenous Australian communities.
Binturong – The binturong, also known as the Asian bearcat or the bearcat, is a unique mammal found in Southeast Asia. It has a prehensile tail, a shaggy coat, and emits a musky scent, resembling a mix of popcorn and corn chips, which gives it its alternative name “bearcat.”
Bison – Bison, also known as American bison or buffalo, are large, iconic mammals native to North America. With their massive size, shaggy coats, and distinctive humped shoulders, bison have historically played a significant role in the culture, ecology, and history of the American plains, and they are considered an important symbol of the wild and untamed spirit of the continent.
Black Musk Deer – The black musk deer, also known as the Siberian musk deer, is a small deer species native to the forests of East Asia, including Russia, China, and Korea. What sets the black musk deer apart is the presence of musk glands in the males, which produce a strong musky odor used for territorial marking and attracting mates.
Black Rhinoceros – The black rhinoceros, also known as the hook-lipped rhinoceros, is a large and critically endangered species native to eastern and southern Africa. Characterized by its prehensile upper lip and two prominent horns, the black rhinoceros is a herbivorous mammal that inhabits various habitats, including savannas, grasslands, and shrublands, but faces significant threats due to poaching and habitat loss.
Black-Footed Ferret – The black-footed ferret is a highly endangered species and considered one of the rarest mammals in North America. With its distinctive black mask, dark feet, and slender body, the black-footed ferret is primarily nocturnal and feeds on prairie dogs, relying on their burrows for shelter and hunting grounds.
Blue Whale – The blue whale is the largest animal to have ever existed on Earth, reaching lengths of up to 100 feet and weighing as much as 200 tons. These magnificent marine mammals can be found in oceans worldwide, using their baleen plates to filter-feed on krill and other small organisms, and their hauntingly beautiful songs can travel across vast distances.
Bobcat – A bobcat is a medium-sized wild cat native to North America known for its distinctive spotted fur and tufted ears.
Boer Goat – The Boer goat is a breed of domestic goat that originated in South Africa and is known for its impressive meat production qualities. With its muscular build, distinctive color patterns, and high fertility rates, the Boer goat has gained popularity worldwide as a profitable breed for meat production.
Bonobo – The bonobo, also known as the pygmy chimpanzee, is a highly intelligent and endangered great ape species found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Known for their peaceful and cooperative social behavior, bonobos are closely related to humans and share many characteristics, including complex communication, tool use, and a remarkable ability to resolve conflicts through sexual behavior.
Bornean Ferret-Badger – The Bornean ferret badger, also known as the Bornean ferret-badger, is a small mammal endemic to the island of Borneo. With its distinctive markings, including a white face mask and black and white fur, the Bornean ferret badger is primarily nocturnal and feeds on a variety of small animals, making it an important predator in its forest habitat.
Bornean Orangutan – The Bornean orangutan is an iconic species of great ape found exclusively on the island of Borneo. With their distinctive reddish-brown hair and long arms, they are highly intelligent and arboreal, relying on trees for their habitat and diet of fruits, leaves, and insects.
Borneo Elephant – The Borneo elephant, also known as the pygmy elephant, is a subspecies of Asian elephant found in the rainforests of Borneo. With its relatively small size and gentle demeanor, the Borneo elephant plays a vital role in maintaining the forest ecosystem.
Bottlenose Dolphin – The bottlenose dolphin is a highly intelligent marine mammal known for its playful behavior and acrobatic displays. Found in oceans worldwide, they are social creatures that live in groups called pods and are renowned for their curiosity and communication skills.
Bowhead Whale – The bowhead whale, also known as the Arctic whale, is a large baleen whale species that inhabits the Arctic and subarctic regions. Adapted to living in icy waters, these whales have a massive, robust body and can live to be over 200 years old, making them one of the longest-living mammals on Earth.
Brown Bear – The brown bear is a large carnivorous mammal found across various habitats in North America, Europe, and Asia. With their distinctive shoulder hump and powerful build, brown bears are skilled hunters and foragers, capable of adapting to a wide range of environments.
Brown Hyena – The brown hyena, also known as the strandwolf, is a species of hyena found in southern Africa. With its shaggy brown coat and unique sloping back, the brown hyena is a scavenger that primarily feeds on carrion but can also hunt small prey. It is a solitary and elusive animal, and its populations are under threat due to habitat loss and persecution.
Buffalo – Buffalo are formidable bovine mammals found in sub-Saharan Africa, known for their robust build, massive horns, and their reputation as one of the most dangerous animals on the continent.
Burmese Ferret-Badger – The Burmese ferret badger is a small carnivorous mammal native to Southeast Asia, characterized by its dark brown fur, white stripes, and elongated body.