Animals that start with m: list with pictures and facts. Discover amazing animals beginning with m.
Animals That Start With M: Pictures & Facts
You can see a list of fascinating creatures, starting with the letter m, along with images and interesting facts about each creature on this page.
List of Animals Beginning With M
Macaque
The genus Macaca contains macaques, which are monkeys. Macaques are divided into 23 species. Asia is home to all but one (the Barbary macaque).
Macaques are mostly herbivorous (plant-eating), with a few omnivorous (plant- and meat-eating) individuals thrown in for good measure. The Barbary macaque, Rhesus macaque, and Crab-Eating Macaque are all well-known macaques.
Mallard
- Scientific name: Anas platyrhynchos
- Conservation status: Least Concern
In both the New World (North and South America) and the Old World (Europe, Asia, and Africa), mallards are well-known ducks.
The male mallard, like other ducks, has a metallic green head and a rich brown breast. He is considerably more colorful than the female. The whole body of the female is brown. Mallards have a blue flash on their wings, whether they’re male or female.
Manatee
The marine mammals manatees are huge. These sluggish, docile creatures are referred to as “sea cows.” Elephants and hyraxes (small, rodent-like creatures found in Africa and the Middle East) are their closest living relatives.
The Amazonian manatee (located in the rainforests of South America), the West Indian manatee (located in the West Indies and North and Central America), and the West African manatee (located on Africa’s west coast) are three different species of manatees.
Mandrill
- Scientific name: Mandrillus sphinx
- Conservation status: Vulnerable
The mandrill is a monkey found in western Africa’s rainforests. It is the biggest monkey in the world. Males have vividly colored faces (and rear ends) that are readily visible.
Maned Wolf
- Scientific name: Chrysocyon brachyurus
- Conservation status: Near Threatened
In the grasslands of central South America, the maned wolf is a canid (canidae) dog that belongs to the Canidae family. It’s the tallest of all wild dogs and the most massive canid in South America. It has a shaggy, reddish-brown appearance, long legs, and large ears.
Mantis Shrimp
Mantis shrimp, also known as little crustaceans, belong to the Stomatopoda order and number almost 450 species. These fearsome saltwater creatures, equipped with club or spear modifications to their front appendages, arrive heavily armed.
Smashers are the name given to mantis shrimps with clubs. Some species have enough strength to smash aquarium glass! These little creatures should not be touched!
Margay
- Scientific name: Leopardus wiedii
- Conservation status: Near Threatened
The margay is a Central American and South American species of small wild cat. It has distinct black markings and patches on its golden coat. The ocelot (another spotted wild cat with which the margay shares a lot of its range) is smaller than the margay.
The margay has a knack for climbing trees. It can also climb headfirst down trees thanks to its specially designed flexible ankles.
Marmoset
South American monkeys known as marmosets live in the woods. Marmosets come in a variety of shapes and sizes. These little monkeys can climb all the way to the top of the rainforest canopy. Tree sap is their favorite dish, which they collect by gnawing into the wood.
Marmot
The genus Marmota includes large ground squirrels called marmots. North America and Eurasia are both home to them. With thick coats and small, hairy ears, they are well-adapted to living in cold climates. Marmots are digging creatures with exceptionally sharp claws.
Martial Eagle
- Scientific name: Polemaetus bellicosus
- Conservation status: Vulnerable
The biggest eagle in Africa is the martial eagle. It has a 6ft 4in wingspan, which is longer than most men’s height.
The martial eagle pursues its prey by flying above the African grassland. The eagle plummeted down on a suitable prey item at a breakneck speed when it was spotted. Monkeys, small antelopes, meerkats, and hyraxes (small, rodent-like creatures) are among the birds and mammals that the martial eagle consumes.
Meerkat
- Scientific name: Suricata suricatta
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The mongoose family (Herpestidae) includes the meerkat, a little animal. The Kalahari Desert in southern Africa is where you’ll find it.
Meerkats live in groups known as ‘mobs,’ which are made up of many individuals. In a mob of around 20 meerkats, there are normally around 20 individuals. Diurnal (active during the day), meerkats eat mostly insect larvae.
Mexican Redknee Tarantula
- Scientific name: Brachypelma smithi
- Conservation status: Near Threatened
In hilly rainforest environments in Mexico, the Mexican redknee tarantula is a huge spider. It’s the tarantula species that is most often used in movies, and you may have seen it somewhere before.
The night-hunting Mexican redknee tarantula is an ambush eater. Before leaping and injecting its victim with venom, it detects the vibrations produced by other animals. Insects, frogs, lizards, and mice are among its victims.
Millipede
The class Diplopoda is made up of millipedes, which are renowned for their numerous legs. (Insects have six legs, whereas millipedes have eight.)
Many segments, each with two pairs of legs, make up a millipede’s body. A millipede has far fewer than a thousand legs, despite its name (which means “thousand feet”).
The scientific name Illacme plenipes refers to the millipede that has the most legs. It is the animal with the greatest number of legs, having up to 750 legs.
Monarch Butterfly
- Scientific name: Danaus plexippus
- Conservation status: Unassessed
The monarch butterfly may be found throughout the Americas, Southeast Asia, and eastern Australia. It is a huge butterfly. It’s well-known for its ability to move huge distances.
During the autumn, North American monarchs migrate south and may travel up to 3,000 miles (4,830 km). The majority of monarchs overwinter in Mexico and southern California.
In the spring, the journey starts northward. The whole distance northwards will not be covered by a single insect. Instead, its offspring will continue the migration after it lays eggs halfway through.
Mongoose
Mongooses (Carnivora order) are tiny carnivorans. Mongoose are found in 29 different species. They may be found across Africa as well as portions of Europe and Asia. Some snakes’ venoms are ineffective against Mongooses.
Moose
- Scientific name: Alces alces
- Conservation status: Least Concern
The moose, which is the largest living deer species (Cervidae), is currently the biggest moose. It’s known as an elk in northern North America and northern Europe. Large palmate antlers distinguish male moose. Some deer species’ antlers are referred to as “wide, flat.”
In order to gain access to females, male moose use their antlers to fight each other. At this time of year, the ‘rut’ is in full swing. Antlers fall off after the mating season. In preparation for the following year’s rut, new antlers will emerge.
Mosquito
Mosquitoes belong to the Culicidae family of tiny flies. Even if you don’t think so by looking at them, mosquitoes are the world’s deadliest creatures. By feeding on the blood of other animals, they spread diseases like malaria and yellow fever.
Mountain Gorilla
- Scientific name: Gorilla beringei beringei
- Conservation status: Critically Endangered
In East Africa, the mountain gorilla is a variant of the eastern gorilla. It may be found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda’s hilly woods. In comparison to other gorillas, mountain gorillas have longer and thicker hair. There are just around 880 mountain gorillas left in the wild.
Mouse
Mice are included on every list of creatures beginning with M. The genus Mus includes small rodents. Mice can be found across most of the globe. The house mouse (Mus musculus) is the most well-known of the species, having been brought to the Americas and many other regions of the globe from Europe and North Africa.
Mice are very hardy and prolific, making them a very successful group of animals. They are frequently prey for other species, yet they reproduce rapidly.
Musk Ox
- Scientific name: Ovibos moschatus
- Conservation status: Least Concern
A bovid (member of the Bovidae family of cattle) called musk ox It can be found in Greenland, as well as other Arctic countries in North America. Musk oxes have a lengthy shaggy coat and two enormous curving horns.
The male musk ox releases a strong musky odor during mating season, which is how the species got its name.
Animals That Start With M: Conclusion
We hope that this page has helped you find out about some amazing animals beginning with m.