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  1. Fact files
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  5. Mammals

Mammals

Welcome to the incredibly diverse world of mammals. This group includes humans and all other hairy warm-blooded vertebrates. Their brains are better developed than other types of animals, and they nourish their young with milk.

Mother giraffe taking care of her calf, Shutterstock image
Vulnerable

Giraffa camelopardalis

Giraffe

With their long napes and lanky legs, giraffes are literally head and shoulders above the rest – towering over the arid African savannahs, they are the tallest mammals roaming the Earth.

Sloth in a tree
Vulnerable

Bradypus

Sloth

Sloths are the slowest mammals to call this planet home, but their laidback lifestyle isn’t the only feature that makes them extraordinary.

Image of an elephant walking through the wilderness © Pooja Prasanth
Endangered

Elephantidae

Elephant

The elephant is the largest living land animal. This giant, plant-eating mammal lives in family groups with complex social orders and is capable of remarkable feats of memory – they do say elephants never forget!

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© Rita Kochmarjova
Least Concern

Equus ferus caballus

Horse

The horse is a four-legged herd animal. Various breeds of the animal have been domesticated and are used for work, riding and as a source of food and milk. Historically, the domestication of horses helped humans to spread across the world and also improved their ability to farm.

© MP_Foto
Vulnerable

Panthera leo

Lion

The lion is the second biggest big cat after the tiger. Unlike most big cats, the lion is social, and lives in family groups called prides. This ferocious apex predator works together with its companions to take down sizeable prey like water buffalo, which are much larger than a single lion.

Panda chewing on greens © Stella Sophie
Vulnerable

Ailuropoda melanoleuca

Panda

The giant panda is a large species of bear with striking black and white patterned fur. These bears live solitary lives in dense, mountainous forests. Whilst they have been endangered in the past, their numbers are recovering.

© Rajesh
Endangered

Panthera tigris

Tiger

The tiger is a large, carnivorous mammal and the largest living big cat. Their distinctive fur is orange and white with dark vertical stripes. The pattern of stripes is unique to each individual.

Image of two pigs leaning against a fence
Least Concern

Sus domesticus

Pig

Pigs are large, social, omnivorous mammals. They have insatiable appetites and smart brains, which help them to find new sources of food. Like their wild relatives, they have bristly fur, tusk-like teeth and short tails. However, domesticated pigs are the only ones whose tails curl and ears flop forwards.

Image of fox diving into snow to hunt prey
Least Concern

Vulpes

Fox

Foxes are mostly solitary predators and distant relatives of wolves and dogs. Many have a distinctive bushy tail and bright russet coat – but they also come in grey, white, sand and brown colourings. They have sharp teeth and can be dangerous to humans if approached. Their wide and varied diet has made them very successful in both cities and the countryside.

Dolphins swimming by Nathaniel J Barrie
Endangered

Delphinidae

Dolphin

Their agility, intelligence, playfulness and social skills make dolphins one of the most charming inhabitants of the Earth’s waters. But there’s more to this savvy, diverse family of creatures than meets the eye.

Langoor, black and grey monkey, India
Least Concern

Simiiformes

Monkey

Monkeys are a group of mammals that belong to the primate Order. They are characterised by their long limbs and tails, which help them to swing between trees. Most monkeys, unlike their relatives the great apes, spend the majority of their time in tree canopies, where they eat fruit and berries and avoid predators like jaguars and snakes.

A European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) looks up in attention
Endangered

Oryctolagus cuniculus

Rabbit

The rabbit is a social species of mammal that lives in burrows, called a warren. Their long ears and fluffy tails make them appealing pets, but in many countries humans also treat them as pests.

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Domestic tabby cat reclining
Least Concern

Felis catus

Cat

Soft, furry, and oh so cuddly - cats have lived alongside humans for more than 10,000 years. However, they have yet to lose their wild instincts.  

Two dogs sleeping on a black leather sofa
Least Concern

Canis familiaris

Dog

Often described as man’s best friend, dogs have lived alongside us as treasured companions for 35,000 years. With over 400 distinct breeds, no other land mammal comes close to such variety in size and appearance.

A family of meerkats stand upright on the sand.
Least Concern

Suricata suricatta

Meerkat

The meerkat can often be seen standing upright on its hind legs, gazing alertly over the southern African plains. Don’t be fooled by their playful, humorous antics though  – meerkats are one of the most murderous species in the animal kingdom.

Koala in a eucalyptus tree
Vulnerable

Phascolarctos cinereus

Koala

Koalas may look sleepy and cuddly, but these iconic Australian animals survive on toxic leaves, can bolt at 30km/h and have a surprising knack for predicting the weather.

Pack of wolves on a rocky outcrop
Least Concern

Canis lupus

Wolf

Here’s a sneak peek into the fascinating world of an apex predator—the wolf. Discover what makes it tick, from hunting habits to complex social behaviours.

Squirrel sitting on a a chopped tree branch
Least Concern

Sciuridae

Squirrel

Capable of complex problem-solving, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed squirrels are resourceful creatures with a high degree of tenacity. 

A group of hippos bathing with just their heads visible above the water.
Vulnerable

Hippopotamus amphibius; Choeropsis liberiensis

Hippo

Hippos are the second biggest animal on land. These water-loving creatures spend most of their time wallowing in mud, but can run at speeds of 22 miles an hour to chase away any trespassers on their territory.

Bull and three cows facing forward in a field
Least Concern

Bos taurus

Cattle (Cows and Bulls)

Intelligent and highly social animals, cows have had a close relationship with humans for centuries.Intelligent and highly social animals, cows have had a close relationship with humans for centuries.

A group of otters
Near Threatened

Lutrinae

Otter

Otters are adorable, playful creatures that inhabit rivers, ponds, wetland habitats and even coastlines. Their powerful, streamlined bodies make them expert swimmers, and they love nothing better than to dive underwater to look for fish.

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Group of goats – BBC Earth Fact File Goats
Least Concern

Capra hircus

Goat

One of the most resilient animals domesticated by humans, goats have been a part of agriculture for thousands of years. Recognised for their curiosity and tenacity compared to other livestock, these agile creatures are remarkably intelligent.

Large group of seals
Vulnerable

Phocids

Seal

Don't be fooled by their cute appearance – seals are powerful carnivores, remarkably adapted to life in both water and on land. With elite diving skills, sharp intelligence and a naturally curious nature, they thrive in some of the harshest environments on Earth.

Whale breaching out of the sea
Critically Endangered

Cetacea

Whale

Whales evolved from land animals into majestic ocean giants, and now they are massive, social and intelligent creatures that provide crucial services to the world’s oceans. 

A badger emerges from an underground burrow in a grassy field. It has fluffy white fur, with black fur on its underside and a two black stripes running down its face, over each eye towards its snout.
Least Concern

Melinae and Arctonyx

Badger

A stocky, ground-loving mammal, the badger is best known for its digging prowess. Seen as gentle heroes in stories such as The Wind and the Willows or villains through their association with bovine tuberculosis, these denizens of the underground divide opinion. Their nocturnal behaviour and fear of humans make them a rare sight and leave them with some secrets still uncovered.

Banner images:

©️Mountain goats: Chirag Saini via Unsplash

©️Rabbit: Serenity Images23 via Shutterstock

©️Tiger: Ondrej Prosicky via Shutterstock

©️Meerkats: Clement Roy via Unsplash

©️Horse: Rita Kochmarjova via Unknown

©️Meerkats: Clement Roy via Unsplash

©️Tigers: Ondrej Prosicky via Shutterstock (same image twice)

©️Rabbit: Serenity Images23 via Shutterstock