Animals that Start with M

Macaque

Macaque females will pass on their social rankings to their daughters

Macaroni Penguin

Gather in colonies of up to 100,000 members!

Macaw

The largest species of parrot in the world!

MacGillivray’s Warbler

The complicated story of how MacGillivray’s Warblers got their name involves three ornithologists, a physician and a compromise.

Machaeroides

Machaeroides had large saber-teeth, much like the saber-toothed tiger.

Mackenzie Valley Wolf

Will travel up to 70 miles in a single day.

Macrauchenia

The Macrauchenia was a large mammal, at nearly ten feet in length, weighing about 2,299 pounds.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

One of the largest types of cockroach

Madagascar Jacana

The Madagascar jacana is endangered due to habitat loss and illegal hunting.

Madagascar Tree Boa

Madora Moth

Mopane worms (larva) only live for 3 - 4 days after evolving into an adult (madora), during which they mate and lay eggss

Magellanic Penguin

Threatened by oil spills!

Maggot

Will only live in wet areas

Magnolia Warbler

They line their nests with fungi strands

Magpie

They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!

Magyarosaurus

Magyarosaurus is the smallest sauropod dinosaur to have ever lived

Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish)

It's called the rabbit of the ocean because it multiplies so quickly.

Maiasaura

Maiasaura dinosaurs can grow to 31 feet long.

Maine Coon

Folklore says it's half cat, half raccoon!

Mal Shi

They are very needy dogs and can suffer from separation anxiety.

Malayan Civet

Also known as the Oriental Civet!

Malayan Krait

It's called the five-step snake because if a person is bitten, they can walk about five steps before dying.

Malayan Tiger

Found in less-dense jungles!

Malchi

The Malchi is not a purebred but a crossbreed and relatively new on the scene. That’s why they are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) or any other canine organization.

Mallard

With an appropriate tail wind, the mallard can travel hundreds of miles a day

Malteagle

Malteagles are one of the smallest beagle hybrids and love to follow their owners everywhere.

Maltese

Originally bred in Europe!

Maltese Mix

Low-shedding cute lap dog

Maltese Shih Tzu

Both parent breeds, the Maltese and Shih Tzu, once entertained royalty!

Maltipom

Maltipoms from the same litter may not look alike, favoring one parent over the other (Pomeranian or Maltese).

Maltipoo

Maltipoos may have one of three different coat types depending on the specific genes they inherit from their parents. These include silky, curly, or wavy.

Mamba

The black mamba is land-dwelling while the other three mamba species are tree-dwelling.

Mamushi Snake

The Mamushi snake, which is also known as the Japanese moccasin or the Japanese pit viper, can grow to be over two feet long.

Man of War Jellyfish

Named for an 18th century warship

Manatee

Also known as the Sea Cow!

Manchester Terrier

Fences are no match for Manchester terriers. They’re great escape artists!

Mandarin Rat Snake

"This docile snake is a popular and long-lived pet - though challenging to care for - with a lifespan of up to 21 years!"

Mandrill

Distinctively coloured noses and rumps!

Maned Wolf

Despite its name, the Maned Wolf is not actually a wolf.

Mangrove Snake

Mangrove snakes have small fangs that are more like enlarged teeth at the back of their jaw.

Mangrove Snapper

Tagging studies have found that once adults establish a habitat they typically remain there for long periods. In fact, they found that these fish can stay in one area for up to 4 years.

Manta Ray

Can grow up to 9m wide!

Mantella Frog

Some of the smallest and most brightly colored frogs in the world

Marabou Stork

The marabou stork does not have a voice box.

Marans Chicken

Marans chickens produce some of the darkest, chocolate-brown eggs in the world!

Marble Fox

The marble fox is not a naturally occurring variant; it was created through artificial selection.

Maremma Sheepdog

Margay

Margays are one of the world’s most highly adapted cat species for climbing trees!

Marine Iguana

Adult marine iguanas vary in size depending on the size of the island where they live.

Marine Toad

Produces a toxin used in arrow darts!

Markhor

The markhor drools a foamy substance after chewing its cud, which the local people use for extracting snake poison.

Marmoset

Marmot

A marmot spends 80% of its life below ground

Marsh Frog

Has bright green skin!

Marsican Brown Bear

They do not fall completely asleep during hibernation but wake up from time to time during the winter to walk around.

Masiakasaurus

Masiakasaurus had dentition adapted to catching fast-moving prey.

Masked Angelfish

All masked angelfish are female until sometime after sexual maturity, at which point some become male.

Masked Palm Civet

Found throughout Asia, India and China!

Mason Bee

N/A

Massasauga

The name “Massasauga” comes from the Chippewa language, meaning “Great River Mouth”.

Mastador

The Mastador gets its enormous size from its Mastiff parent.

Mastiff

Courageous, calm and affectionate!

Mastiff Mix

Don't let the boxmas's intimidating appearance and size fool you; they are actually gentle giants with even temperaments.

Mauzer

Mauzers tend to bond with a specific person in the home and will follow them like a shadow.

May Beetle

May Beetles are also known as June Bugs Because they’re more active during the month of June

Mayan Cichlid

Mayan cichlids live longer in captivity than they do in the wild.

Mayfly

There are 2,500 known species worldwide!

Meagle

The Meagle has an incredible sense of smell.

Mealworm Beetle

In 1968, the mealworm beetle traveled to space and circled the moon on the Soviet mission Zond 5.

Mealybug

They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.

Meerkat

One will stand on guard to watch for predators!

Megalania

Some people believe that Megalania still exists in remote areas, although those beliefs have never been validated with evidence. 

Megalochelys

Megalodon

The largest shark to ever live!

Megamouth Shark

Swims with its mouth open to capture prey

Meganeura

Mageneura was the largest insect that has ever lived. However, it wasn't the heaviest

Megatherium

Megatherium probably used its lips more than its tongue when feeling for choice leaves in the treetops.

Meiolania

The Meiolania had a massive head that it was unable to put fully inside its shell.

Mekong Giant Catfish

The Mekong giant catfish is the largest purely freshwater fish in the world

Merganser

They line their nests with their feathers

Mexican Alligator Lizard

Mexican alligator lizards shed their skin like snakes.

Mexican Black Kingsnake

A subspecies of the common kingsnake

Mexican Eagle (Northern crested caracara)

The northern crested caracara mates for life with its partner

Mexican Fireleg Tarantula

Mexican fireleg tarantulas have bright reddish-orange legs.

Mexican Free-Tailed Bat

Some colonies have millions of bats

Mexican Mole Lizard

They can break off part of their tail, but it will not grow back.

Microraptor

Midget Faded Rattlesnake

They're also called horseshoe rattlesnakes thanks to the shape of their markings.

Miki

They can be trained to use the litter box like a cat!

Milk Snake

Milkfish

Females lay up to 5 million eggs at one time in warm, shallow and salty waters

Milkweed aphids

Can reproduce asexually

Millipede

Some species have a poisonous bite!

Mini Labradoodle

The first mini labradoodle was bred in the early 1990s - almost immediately after standard labradoodles became popular.

Mini Lop

One of the cutest and most popular rabbits

Miniature Bull Terrier

This dog has a very happy-go-lucky temperament.

Miniature Husky

The Miniature Husky has a double coat that it sheds twice annually. Also, some people confuse them with Alaskan Klee Kai, which have similar blue eyes.

Miniature Pinscher

Stable rodents were kept in check by using it as a barnyard ratter.

Mink

The mink can swim up to 100 feet underwater.

Minke Whale

There are two recognised species!

Mississippi Kite

The Mississippi kite tends to form a monogamous pair bond for life

Moccasin Snake

Mockingbird

Mockingbirds are incredible mimics that can learn hundreds of songs!

Modern Game Chicken

The Modern Game chicken is a lanky bird with legs that go for days!

Mojarra

The mojarra's protruding mouth allows it to sift along the seabed for food

Mojave Ball Python

Instead of the typically banded or ‘alien head’ patterning of most ball python morphs, the Mojave morph’s patterning is characterized by lots of large, circular splotches with small, dark brown dots in their centers.

Mojave Rattlesnake

"The Mojave rattlesnake is the most venomous rattlesnake in the world."

Mola mola (Ocean Sunfish)

The ocean sunfish is the biggest bony fish in the world

Mole

Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!

Mole Crab (Sand Flea)

They eat jellyfish tentacles

Mole Cricket

Adult Mole crickets may fly as far as 5 miles during mating season and are active most of the year.

Mole Snake

“The mole snake can reach a length of 6.8 feet”

Mollusk

Most molluscs have more than one heart

Molly

Known for their calm and peaceful nature!

Monarch Butterfly

During migration, Monarch Butterflies may travel 250 or more miles each day.

Mongoose

Range in size from just 1 to 3 foot!

Mongrel

Has characteristics of two or more breeds!

Monitor Lizard

Some species are thought to carry a weak venom!

Monkey

There are around 260 known species!

Monkfish

Called the poor man's lobster!

Monocled Cobra

The monocled cobra is responsible for the highest fatality rate of any snake in all of Thailand.

Monte Iberia Eleuth

The smallest frog in the Northern Hemisphere!

Moon Jellyfish

Moon Jellies are bioluminescent, so they glow in the dark! They can also de-age!

Moonglow Boa

Moonglow boas are the result of mixing three genetic traits.

Moorhen

Feeds on aquatic insects and water-spiders!

Moose

Renews it's enormous antlers every year!

Moray Eel

Sometimes, groupers invite moray eels to help them hunt!

Morkie

A Morkie puppy can weigh as little as 4 ounces.

Morpho Butterfly

Collectors prize them for their bright wings

Mosasaurus

The Mosasaurus was much longer than the fearsome Tyrannosaur rex.

Moscow Watchdog

This Molosser-type dog is the Russian cousin of St. Bernard.

Mosquito

Only the female mosquito actually sucks blood

Moth

There are 250,000 different species!

Mountain Beaver

The beaver that is not a beaver

Mountain Bluebird

Depending on the time of the year, the mountain bird can live as far north as Alaska.

Mountain Cur

Mountain Feist

Mountain Feists were bred in the southern United States as a dog that could help with hunting small game.

Mountain Gorilla

Isolated populations found in the mountains!

Mountain Lion

Has no real natural predators!

Mourning Dove

It is almost always the male who makes the famous sad sound, which is a wooing call

Mourning Gecko

Mourning Warbler

The Mourning Warbler was named for its gray head, which resembles a mourning veil!

Mouse

Found on every continent on Earth!

Mouse Spider

The female mouse spider is rarely seen because they don't leave their burrows.

Mouse-Deer (Chevrotain)

Tiny hooved creature that looks like a cross between a mouse and a miniature deer

Mozambique Spitting Cobra

Mozambique Spitting Cobra is one of Africa's most dangerous snakes.

Mud Snake

Mud snakes can lay over 100 eggs at a single time!

Mudi

Mudi dogs have a reputation for being able to control a herd of 500 sheep.

Mudpuppy

Mudpuppies never leave their larval stage. This is called neoteny.

Mudskipper

They walk on land

Mule

The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!

Mule Deer

Mule deer can run up to 45 miles per hour.

Mulga Snake

Mullet Fish

The Striped Mullet is one of the best-known and most easily identified species, with black horizontal stripes along its body.

Muntjac

The muntjac is the smallest type of deer in the world

Muscovy Duck

Unlike most duck species, the Muscovy is silent and only makes noise when excited or threatened.

Musk Deer

The glands of a musk deer can sell for up to $45,000 on the black market.

Muskellunge (Muskie)

In 1949, a Muskellunge set a world record by weighing 68 pounds and 8 ounces in Wisconsin.

Muskox

Muskox have several physical characteristics that allow them to survive in the Arctic climate.

Muskrat

The muskrat can stay underwater up to 17 minutes at a time

Mussurana Snake

Mussurana snakes help keep rodents from overrunning farms.

Muttaburrasaurus

Muttaburrasaurus is named after the town of Muttaburra in central Queensland.

Muttaburrasaurus

They stood about 26 feet tall and weighed more than 3 tons, as heavy as today's African forest elephants.

Myna Bird

Many people believe the hill myna bird is better at mimicking humans than a parrot!

Megalodon

The largest shark to ever live!

Maltese

Originally bred in Europe!

Mastiff

Courageous, calm and affectionate!

Mudskipper

They walk on land

Mourning Gecko