Discover a captivating collection of animals that start with M. From magnificent mammals to mesmerizing marine creatures, explore the incredible diversity and beauty of the animal kingdom in this awe-inspiring list. Get ready to be amazed by the marvelous world of animals beginning with the letter “M.”
Commonly Known Animals that Start with M
Macaw
Macaws are the largest and most vibrant members of the parrot family. They are easily identifiable by their bright blue, green, and red plumage. Macaws are found in the tropical climates of the Amazon. Macaws enjoy eating nuts and berries of the rainforest and have become immune to the toxins that will kill humans if they eat them. Macaws have the same mate for life and spend their time together all year. They can be seen gathering food, cleaning each other, and cuddling.
Magpie
Magpies are one species of bird found all over the world. They are brilliant and have adapted to mimic human speech. Magpies love people and will often approach people to observe them. Magpies are known to dive-bomb people who get too close to their nest, so they only use this tactic to protect their babies. Magpies are very social birds and live in “Tribes” of up to 50 other magpies.
Mallard
Mallards are a species of duck that is commonly found in North America, Europe, and Asia. The male Mallard has a dark green head and a white collar (stripe) around its neck, while the female is smaller and brown. Mallards are omnivores so they do eat small fish as well as plants. Mallard pairs live together and will migrate with other Mallards to warmer weather in winter and return to their nesting spot in summer.
Maltese
The Maltese is an adorable dog known for its amazing coat. The Maltese’s coat is flowy and reaches the floor! A Maltese is very loyal, but usually just to one person so they are not ideal for large families with small children. Since they do not shed, the Maltese is a great dog for people with allergies. Because of their intelligence, small size, and friendly disposition, Maltese are very popular therapy dogs.
Manatee
Manatees are often called the cow of the sea due to their rounder body shape. Manatees are not able to leave the water and can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes at a time if resting. Manatees are herbivores and eat plants that grow on the ocean floor. Since Manatees eat so much during the day, their presence signals that the immediate environment is thriving. Due to a lack of neck vertebrates, they have to turn their whole body to look around.
Mandrill
Mandrills are a very easily identifiable member of the monkey family. Their bright blue and red noses are what makes the unique. Those amazing colors are also displayed on their bottoms! The colors are used to attract female Mandrills. Mandrills are found in the rainforests of Africa. In order to store food for later, Mandrills have large pouches in their cheeks to keep food for later.
Manta Ray
If you ever get the chance to touch a Manta Ray, you will notice that they feel slimy. They are actually covered in mucus that helps protect them from harmful bacteria. Manta Rays are different than their cousin the sting ray. Manta Rays do not have a barbed stinger on the end of their tail, so they are completely harmless. Manta Rays never stop swimming since they have to move to get oxygen from the water.
Mastiff
Despite being a very long dog breed, Mastiffs are gentle giants. They can stand 30 inches tall and weigh as much as a grown man, but they are very gentle and make great companions. Mastiffs are loyal to their families and make wonderful guard dogs. Mastiffs are prone to separation anxiety since they are so attached to their families.
Millipede
If you go digging in the dirt, you may find a millipede. They love to dig around in mulch and decomposing leaves. Despite their name meaning “thousand legs” in Latin, they usually have 100 legs at most. Centipedes are different than Millipedes. One way to tell the difference is that Millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment, while Cenitpedes only have one pair of legs per body segment. Since Millipedes do not have stingers, or any other way to defend themselves, they use a stinky and nasty-tasting chemical from their body to ward off predators.
Mockingbird
Mockingbirds got their name due to their ability to mimic other bird’s calls or sounds. There are 16 different species of Mockingbirds but only one lives in North America. Mockingbirds are territorial and will get aggressive with anyone who enters their territory. Mockingbirds enjoy a good meal of bugs, plants, and berries.
Mole
Moles are interesting creature that lives completely underground. Their paws are designed for digging through the dirt to create their burrows. There are seven species of moles in North America. Moles primarily eat grubs and worms that they find while digging. Moles are very fast diggers, and are able to dig 15 feet in one hour! Moles are almost completely blind but they have an amazing sense of smell to find their food.
Monarch Butterfly
Monarch Butterflies are one of the most distinguishable butterflies due to their black and bright orange coloring. Each year, the Monarch Butterflies migrate from North America to Mexico, covering a total of 3,000 miles! Due to their short life span, each migration takes 4 generations to complete. Monarch Butterflies are actually poisonous due to the poisonous milkweed they eat during their larvae stage.
Monkey
Monkeys are amazing creatures and have quirky personalities.! There are two groups of monkeys: Old World and New World Monkeys. Old World Monkeys live in Asia and Africa, and can not use their tail as an extra hand, while New World Monkeys, which live in Central and South America do use their tails as an extra hand. Monkeys can be found all over the world, except in Australia and Antarctica. There are 300 different species of monkeys.
Moose
Moose are part of the deer family and the largest member of that species. There are estimated to be 2 million moose, with the largest concentration in Canada. Moose are giant animals and fully grown are 8 feet tall and can weigh over 800 pounds. They are very calm animals, except males get aggressive during mating season. Moose only live in locations that get winter snowfall, and love a good swim during the warmer summer months.
Mosquito
Mosquitos are those pesky bugs that leave itchy bumps on your arms after they bite you. If you find a mosquito biting you, it is a female since only the females bite. Mosquitos are the deadliest animal in the world due to their ability to spread diseases that affect humans. Mosquitos only have a 2-month life span.
Moth
There are more moths on the earth than butterflies! There are 150,000 different species of moths around the world. Moths come in all sizes and colors. The largest Moth is 11 inches from wing tip to wing tip. Moths are pollinators like their butterfly cousins. Since they are nocturnal, we do not see them working hard at pollinating flowers. At night, turn on a light outside and you will often find moths swarming around the bulb, this occurs because they are attracted to light.
Mouse
A mouse is a sneaking little creature that can fit into the tiniest of spaces. Mice have very poor vision so they depend on their sense of smell, touch, and hearing to get around. Mice are not the cleanest of creatures, they can poop up to 100 times a day and spread diseases that are harmful to humans. A female mouse can have 12 babies every 3 weeks, which makes 150 new mice a year!
Mule
Mules are what occur when a male donkey is bred with a female horse. Mules are hard working animals that are used as pack animals in many countries. They require less food and live longer than the average horse. Mexico and China bred the most mules in the world.. Mules are usually very calm animals, but if you make them angry they have the ability to kick sideways!
Dogs that Start with M
Maltese Mix
Maltese Shih Tzu
Maltipom
Maltipoo
Manchester Terrier
Maremma Sheepdog
Mastador
Mastiff Mix
Meagle
Mini Labradoodle
Mini Lop
Miniature Bull Terrier
Miniature Husky
Miniature Pinscher
Morkie
Moscow Watchdog
Zoo Animals that Start with M
Macaroni Penguin
The Macaroni Penguin got its name from the bright yellow feathers on the top of its head that resemble the “macaroni”, or a stylish way of dressing in the 18th century. Like other penguins, the Macaroni Penguin loves to eat shrimp and krill. They will travel up to 190 miles away from the colony to find food. Macaroni Penguins are among the few animals that have red eyes.
Malayan Tiger
As their name says the Malayan Tiger is native to Malaysia. Currently, they are on the endangered species list. The stripes on each tiger are like a fingerprint, completely unique to each individual. The Malayan Tiger is the smallest of the tiger subspecies. They enjoy living alone and going for a swim in the rivers.
Meerkat
Meerkats are native to the southern area of Africa and they are members of the mongoose family. Meerkats are able to withstand some venomous snake bits, like their mongoose cousins. Meerkats are omnivores, which means they eat plants as well as meat. They get all the water they need from the bugs they eat, so they do not have to drink water. A group of meerkats is called a mob, and there are usually 30 individuals in each mob.
Mongoose
The Mongoose is related to the meerkat, and shares similar physical traits. Mongooses are native to Africa and can be found all over the continent. Like their meerkat cousins, they too can withstand venomous snake bites. Mongooses live in mobs or groups, and each member of the mob has a job to do. Older members of the mob will take on the responsibility of raising the babies.
Mountain Gorilla
The Mountain Gorilla is an endangered species that lives in two isolated groups in Africa. There are only around 1,050 Mountain Gorillas in existence, which makes them endangered. Male Mountain Gorillas are called Silverbacks and are considered one the most powerful primates, standing over 5 feet tall while on all fours.
Muskrat
Muskrats are rodent cousins to rats, but they prefer to live in wet areas of North America. Marshes, wetlands, and swamps are places that Muskrats prefer to call home. Muskrats are always hungry and enjoy eating plants and small animals. Muskrats are very social animals and live in family groups. Kits, or baby muskrats, will stay in the family group and become fully grown members by 6 weeks old.
Other Animals that Start with M
Macaque
MacGillivray’s Warbler
Machaeroides
Mackenzie Valley Wolf
Macrauchenia
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
Madagascar Jacana
Madagascar Tree Boa
Madora Moth
Magellanic Penguin
Maggot
Maghreb Magpie
Magnolia Warbler
Magyarosaurus
Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish)
Malayan Civet
Malayan Krait
Malchi
Malteagle
Mamba
Mamushi Snake
Man of War Jellyfish
Mandarin Rat Snake
Maned Wolf
Mangrove Snake
Mangrove Snapper
Mantella Frog
Marabou Stork
Marans Chicken
Marble Fox
Margay
Marine Iguana
Marine Toad
Markhor
Marmoset
Marmot
Marsh Frog
Marsican Brown Bear
Masiakasaurus
Masked Angelfish
Masked Palm Civet
Mason Bee
Massasauga
Mauzer
May Beetle
Mayfly
Mealworm Beetle
Mealybug
Megalania
Megalochelys
Megalodon
Megamouth Shark
Meganeura
Megatherium
Meiolania
Mekong Giant Catfish
Merganser
Mexican Alligator Lizard
Mexican Black Kingsnake
Mexican Eagle (Northern crested caracara)
Mexican Fireleg Tarantula
Mexican Free-Tailed Bat
Mexican Mole Lizard
Mexican Red Knee Tarantula
Microraptor
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Miki
Military Macaw
Milk Snake
Milkfish
Milkweed aphids
Mink
Minke Whale
Mississippi Kite
Modern Game Chicken
Moccasin Snake
Mojarra
Mojave Ball Python
Mojave Rattlesnake
Mola Mola (Ocean Sunfish)
Mole Crab (Sand Flea)
Mole Cricket
Mole Snake
Mollusk
Molly
Mongrel
Monitor Lizard
Monkfish
Monocled Cobra
Monte Iberia Eleuth
Moon Jellyfish
Moonglow Boa
Moorhen
Moray Eel
Morpho Butterfly
Mosasaurus
Mountain Beaver
Mountain Bluebird
Mountain Cur
Mountain Feist
Mountain Lion
Mourning Dove
Mourning Warbler
Mouse Spider
Mouse-Deer (Chevrotain)
Musk Deer
Mozambique Spitting Cobra
Mud Snake
Mudi
Mudpuppy
Mudskipper
Mule Deer
Mulga Snake
Mullet Fish
Muntjac
Muscovy Duck
Muskellunge (Muskie)
Muskox
Mussurana Snake
Mute Swan
Muttaburrasaurus
Do you know any other animals that begin with M? Add them to the comments! We’d love to learn about them as well.
If you’re looking for other unique and interesting animals, be sure to check out our other Animals lists.
- Amazing Animals that Start with A
- Captivating Animals that Begin with C
- Animals That Begin With E
- Interesting Animals that Start With G
- Animals That Begin With J
- Animals That Begin With K
- Animals That Begin With L
- Terrific Animals that Start with T