Wild A to Z: Mammals

Kudu, nyala, impala, and springbok are all species of this animal.

A

Unlike other great apes, these animals have a matriarchal social structure and are known for their non-aggression.

B

Kopi luwak, the world’s most expensive coffee, is made from the droppings of a type of these fruit-eating, cat-like creatures.

C

Orcas are actually the largest-known species of this creature.

D

These creatures are the only mammals which cannot jump.

E

In New York, you can’t own a red fox, but you can legally own one of these desert-dwelling foxes, known for their massive ears.

F

These animals, a symbol of Chinese culture, are dying off due to deforestation and an extremely limited diet of almost exclusively bamboo.

G

These animals are responsible for more human fatalities in Africa than any other mammal.

H

These horned animals are known for their ability to navigate impossibly steep mountainous terrain.

I

Anubis, the Egyptian god of death, is commonly depicted with a human body and the head of this animal.

J

In some parts of Australia, these mammals have a chlamydia rate of up to 90% and can pass it on to humans.

K

These cats have large, snowshoe-like paws to help them hunt in arctic terrain.

L

These small, snake-hunting mammals are known for their resistance to snake venom.

M

These large, rat-like creatures are found in South America, and have become a destructive pest in parts of the United States.

N

This wild cat, which resembles a smaller version of the jaguar, even has a name stemming from the Nahuatl word for “jaguar”.

O

These are the only mammals which are covered entirely in scales.

P

These striped creatures were a cousin of the zebra, having went extinct in 1883.

Q

According to the Chinese zodiac, 2032 will be the next year of this mammal.

R

These mythical animals, bearing long snouts and forked tails, were associated with the Egyptian god of chaos and disease, for whom they are named and bear a resemblance to.

S

These raccoon-like animals are thought to be magical tricksters in Japanese folklore.

T

One of these is found on the Scottish coat of arms.

U

These copper-coated sporting dogs originated in Hungary and are known for their intellect and athleticism.

V

These large, horned creatures can run up to 50mph, and their name means “wild beast” in Dutch and Afrikaans.

W

This group of mammals includes sloths, anteaters, and armadillos.

X

This curly dog is a mix of a poodle and a Yorkshire terrier.

Y

While the mule is a hybrid of a donkey and a horse, this animal is what you get when breeding a donkey with a zebra.

Z