If you were wondering what animal names start with M, this article is just for you. Here is a list of 23 animals that start with the letter M.
We’ve included the most important details about these animals with a fun fact.
Enjoy reading!
1. Markhor
Markhors are large and wild goats found in Central Asia and Southern Russia. These goats can grow very long, white fur on their neck and chest.
Their horns are corkscrew shaped and can surprisingly grow as long as 5 feet for a male.
Fun Fact: The name Markhor is derived from Persian, where ‘mar’ means snake and ‘khor’ means eater.
2. Macaroni Penguin
Macaroni Penguins look like any other penguins with black and white bodies. Still, you can differentiate between them from the crest of orange feathers on their head. They lay 2 eggs in a nest usually made in the shade.
Fun Fact: Macaroni Penguins can dive up to 70 meters and hold their breath in the water for 3 minutes.
3. Millipede
Millipedes are widely found all across the world, except for Antarctica. The name describes their appearance, meaning ‘a thousand feet’, referring to their multiple legs.
Millipedes prefer damp environments and are beneficial as recyclers as they feed on decaying vegetable matter.
They’re not poisonous but are relatively defenseless and harmless creatures.
Fun Fact: Sorry to break it to you, but millipedes don’t have a thousand legs. The highest number recorded yet is 750.
4. MacKenzie Wolf
Another name for these wolves is the Northwestern wolf. They are one of the top hunters in the world.
Their white and gray coats hide them from their prey, and nothing can stand in front of their strong jaw and neck.
Despite these skills, they can still get hunted by bears and other wolves.
Fun Fact: Only the top pair in a MacKenzie wolf pack gets to reproduce. So the desire to be the chief hunter is instinctive.
5. Magpie
A magpie is a bird species belonging to the Corvidae family.
Magpies are known for their distinctive black and white plumage, as well as their playful and curious behavior.
They are brilliant birds and have been observed using tools and exhibiting problem-solving abilities.
Fun Fact: These birds are referred to as ‘birds in tuxedos’, owing to their skin color.
6. Malayan Tiger
As the name suggests, these tigers are found in Malaysia. They’re the smallest of the tiger species but don’t go on their size.
They’re skilled hunters that even hunt elephants.
Malayan tigers love to swim and enjoy playing in rivers and lakes.
However, these tigers are near extinction, and only a few hundred are left.
Fun Fact: Malayan tiger cubs are born blind. They gain full sight when they’re around 2 weeks old.
7. Manatee
They are also sea cows; you can probably see the resemblance.
Despite what you may think, seeing their bulk, Manatees are excellent swimmers. From the surface, you will only see their nose and nostrils.
Although they can never leave the water, they must breathe air every few minutes.
Fun Fact: Manatees are the actual definition of foodies. They can eat 10%-15% of their body weight every day.
8. Mekong Giant Catfish
This fish is a record breaker- being the largest exclusively freshwater fish.
You might think they’re not having a good day if you see them, but that’s only their appearance. Their low-set eyes give them that look.
They don’t have whiskers like other catfish and, surprisingly, no teeth.
Fun Fact: The Mekong Giant Catfish’s body is bare; it doesn’t have any scales.
9. Man of War Jellyfish
This is not a Jellyfish but several organisms working together under a gas-filled bladder. They’re also called blue bottles.
The long thin tendrils of this jellyfish are venomous and can sting extremely bad for a human.
Even if you see a dead Man of War Jellyfish, be careful around it, as it might still sting.
Fun Fact: The Man of War Jellyfish floats with the sea currents or sea breeze, and it can’t move independently.
10. Mandrill
Mandrills are the baboons of the forest and the largest of all monkeys. They have bright, colorful faces that turn even more bright when they’re excited.
These baboons store their food in their cheek pouches to ensure no one steals their food. When they want to devour food, they take it to a safer location.
Fun Fact: Ever heard of big colorful butts? Mandrills have it and flaunt it to attract ladies.
11. Mantella Frog
They are the second smallest species of frogs worldwide, not growing past 1.2 inches. Mantella frogs exist in various bright colors like orange, yellow, green, gold, blue, bronze, etc.
These frogs absorb water through their skin and often get affected by pollution. This is sometimes fatal. Therefore, Mantella frogs are ‘endangered’ by the IUCN.
Fun Fact: Mantella frogs get toxins from their food, i.e. the insects they eat. They’re a practical example of ‘You are what you eat.’
12. Mealybug
These are common houseplant and crop plant pests. They don’t leave any part from infestation, including the roots. They cause additional damage while they feed and inject toxins during it.
Mealybug waste is called a honeydew because it contains a high sugar content. This supports the growth of fungi.
Fun Fact: Mealybugs have an unsaid deal with ants; ants protect them and, in return, get honeydew for food.
13. Megamouth Shark
This species is the smallest of all filter-feeding sharks. It gets its name from the large mouth that can open up to four feet.
Surprisingly, they have weak bodies, which makes them slow swimmers too. They swim slowly with their mouth open and prey on shrimp, plankton, and krill.
Fun Fact: Megamouth sharks emit light from their mouth into the ocean to attract their prey.
14. Monte Iberia Eleuth
Quite a fancy name for a frog, and that too for someone as tiny as this one. These frogs grow no more than half an inch in length. In width, the head Monte Iberia frog is wider than the others.
Although tiny, they know how to defend themselves. They produce a muscle-paralyzing toxin as a defense mechanism.
Fun Fact: We all know frogs are tadpoles at first. However, Monte Iberia Eleuth is different as they hatch from eggs.
15. Manta Ray
They are the largest rays in the ocean, living in tropical, subtropical and temperate seas around the globe. They’re of two types – the reef manta ray and the giant oceanic manta ray.
Manta rays have a long life span of up to 50 years and are highly intelligent but highly threatened.
Fun Fact: They look similar to stingrays, but Manta rays don’t sting.
16. Mole
These rodents spend almost all their lives underground. To dig faster, they have an extra thumb on each forelimb. Since moles have weak eyesight, their sense of hearing and smell makes up for that.
Moles capture earthworms, sometimes even hundreds and save them for later. The protrusions on the face help them gobble down their food in 230 milliseconds- the fastest of all mammals.
Fun Fact: Moles don’t open their eyes to protect them from the dirt, but the light still passes through from their thin eyelids.
17. Mink
The mink is a semi-aquatic mammal found near water bodies. They’re highly active, swim up to 100 feet underwater, and jump from tree to tree.
Minks have many dens used for sleeping, eating, and storing food. They protect it by releasing odor and camouflaging. Regarding food, Minks aren’t picky and enjoy various fishes and snakes.
Fun Fact: Mink’s body is water repellent and layered with oil; a big reason why they’re threatened due to their fur.
18. Moray Eel
We all know someone who looks grumpy but actually isn’t. Moray Eel is that animal. They expose their mouth and teeth while breathing and unintentionally scare everyone.
They can be anywhere from one to thirteen feet long and come in various colors and patterns.
Fun Fact: Besides having Extremely sharp teeth, Moray Eels also have a second jaw to help swallow food.
19. Monkfish
It’s hard to believe, but people eat this fish despite its looks.
Monkfish are found in shallow waters and close to the shore. To protect themselves from ambush, they prefer living in muddy areas so that they can bury themselves.
Fun Fact: Monkfish are vicious carnivores known to eat seagulls and otters.
20. Muntjac
A Muntjac is also called a barking deer because of its sounds. It might sound amusing, but a way of communicating in the forest is an essential trait.
Male Muntjacs have an excellent defense weapon in the form of teeth that extend outwards.
Fun Fact: Muntjacs are the smallest deer species, with a shoulder height of only 15 to 25 inches.
21. Macaw
You’ve probably heard of Macaws- the colorful and talking parrots. Macaws are the largest parrot species; Hyacinth Macaw is the largest one.
Sadly, they’re endangered even though more than 17 different kinds exist.
Fun Fact: Macaws are loyal lovers. Once they decide who they love, they grow old together.
22. Magnolia Warbler
You can spot these birds easily due to their unique colors. They build their nests sloppily lined with fine fungi strands and hit them deep in the forest. This gives their predators a challenge to find them.
Fun Fact: You can usually hear them at dusk and dawn as the male species love to sing while working.
23. Milk Snake
The milk snake is an exciting reptile, mimicking the bigger and more dangerous snakes to protect themselves.
Their prey is quite broad, ranging from mammals to birds and other reptiles. The lifespan of milk snakes is three to four years.
Fun Fact: Milk Snake even hunts the snake it mimics, like coral snakes.
If you reached the end of this article, then we know you’re a real animal lover. Comment down below which fact interested you the most.
Our website lists animals that start with other letters as well. If you are interested in those, feel free to read up on them.
Here’s a full list of all animals start with the letter M
- Macaque
- Macaroni Penguin
- Macaw
- MacGillivray’s Warbler
- Machaeroides
- Mackenzie Valley Wolf
- Macrauchenia
- Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
- Madagascar Jacana
- Madagascar Tree Boa
- Madora Moth
- Magellanic Penguin
- Maggot
- Magnolia Warbler
- Magpie
- Magyarosaurus
- Mahi Mahi (Dolphin Fish)
- Maiasaura
- Maine Coon
- Mal Shi
- Malayan Civet
- Malayan Krait
- Malayan Tiger
- Malchi
- Mallard
- Malteagle
- Maltese
- Maltese Mix
- Maltese Shih Tzu
- Maltipom
- Maltipoo
- Mamba
- Mamushi Snake
- Man of War Jellyfish
- Manatee
- Manchester Terrier
- Mandarin Rat Snake
- Mandrill
- Maned Wolf
- Mangrove Snake
- Mangrove Snapper
- Manta Ray
- Mantella Frog
- Marabou Stork
- Marble Fox
- Maremma Sheepdog
- Margay
- Marine Iguana
- Marine Toad
- Markhor
- Marmoset
- Marmot
- Marsh Frog
- Marsican Brown Bear
- Masiakasaurus
- Masked Angelfish
- Masked Palm Civet
- Mason Bee
- Massasauga
- Mastador
- Mastiff
- Mastiff Mix
- Mauzer
- May Beetle
- Mayan Cichlid
- Mayfly
- Meagle
- Mealworm Beetle
- Mealybug
- Meerkat
- 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
- Microraptor
- Midget Faded Rattlesnake
- Miki
- Milk Snake
- Milkfish
- Milkweed aphids
- Millipede
- Mini Labradoodle
- Mini Lop
- Miniature Bull Terrier
- Miniature Husky
- Miniature Pinscher
- Mink
- Minke Whale
- Mississippi Kite
- Moccasin Snake
- Mockingbird
- Modern Game Chicken
- Mojarra
- Mojave Ball Python
- Mojave Rattlesnake
- Mola mola (Ocean Sunfish)
- Mole
- Mole Crab (Sand Flea)
- Mole Cricket
- Mole Snake
- Mollusk
- Molly
- Monarch Butterfly
- Mongoose
- Mongrel
- Monitor Lizard
- Monkey
- Monkfish
- Monocled Cobra
- Monte Iberia Eleuth
- Moon Jellyfish
- Moonglow Boa
- Moorhen
- Moose
- Moray Eel
- Morkie
- Morpho Butterfly
- Mosasaurus
- Moscow Watchdog
- Mosquito
- Moth
- Mountain Beaver
- Mountain Bluebird
- Mountain Cur
- Mountain Feist
- Mountain Gorilla
- Mountain Lion
- Mourning Dove
- Mourning Warbler
- Mouse
- Mouse Spider
- Mouse-Deer (Chevrotain)
- Mozambique Spitting Cobra
- Mud Snake
- Mudi
- Mudpuppy
- Mule
- Mule Deer
- Mulga Snake
- Mullet Fish
- Muntjac
- Muscovy Duck
- Musk Deer
- Muskellunge (Muskie)
- Muskox
- Muskrat
- Mussurana Snake
- Muttaburrasaurus
- Muttaburrasaurus
- Myna Bird
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