Mammals

British mammals

There are over 100 mammals found in and around the British Isles, which are a mix of native and non-native species.

Scottish wildcat kitten in captivity. © Linda More/Getty

Scottish wildcat guide: how to identify, where they live, and conservation efforts

Pine marten.

Pine marten guide: diet, habitat and why they are rare

European hedgehog on grass

European hedgehog guide: where to see and how to help hedgehogs

Polecat. © Anne Newton

European polecat guide: species facts, how to identify, and the threats they face

Wood mouse and blackberries by Roy Rimmer (3)

Wood mouse guide: how to identify, diet and habitat

Eurasian beaver with reeds in mouth in Estonia. © Sven Zacek/Getty

Eurasian beaver guide: how to identify, why they became extinct in the UK, and where they’ve been reintroduced

Water vole, Arvicola terrestris, Kent, August 2009

European water vole guide: identification, diet and habitat

Badger at entrance to a sett/Credit: Getty Images

European badger guide: habitat, diet and where to see

Red squirrels in a woodland near Ambleside, Lake District, UK. © Matt Staniek

Red squirrel guide: where they’re found, what they eat, and the threats they face

Big cats

The big cat group typically covers the five species in the Panthera genus: tiger, lion, jaguar, leopard and snow leopard. Find out more about these beautiful cats with our guides.

Two young lion cubs. © Jochen Van de Perre/Getty

Big cat guide: how to identify each species and where to see

Adult jaguar on the edge of a river in the rainforest

Jaguar guide: how to identify, where to see and conservation

Lioness with two cubs. © Santanu Nandy/Getty

Lion guide: species facts and where they live in the wild

Snow leopard (Panthera uncia) in a snowstorm

Snow leopard guide: habitat, diet and conservation

Meet The Scientist

Conserving snow leopards in Mongolia

Great apes

The group known as great apes include gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees and bonobos.

Mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) silverback, Rwanda

Gorilla guide: where they live, diet, and conservation

Wild Sumatran orangutan hanging on liana and looking at camera

Orangutan guide: species facts, diet and best places to see

An extreme closeup portrait of the alpha male chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes), Kibale Forest National Park, Uganda. © Marc Guitard/Getty

16 amazing chimpanzee facts

Bears

Polar bear with twin cubs, in Hudson Bay, Manitoba, Canada. © Johnny Johnson/Getty

Polar bear guide: where they’re found, what they eat, and why they’re threatened

Polar bear walking on sea ice in the Arctic. © Vlad Silver/Getty

Separating fact from fiction: polar bears and climate change

(7) Mothers Protection - Kyle Moore

A year in the life of European brown bears

(7) Mothers Protection - Kyle Moore

A year in the life of European brown bears

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10 spirit bear facts you need to know

Pandas squeeze down a slide at Bifengxia. Although this behaviour may look cute, the structures serve a purpose by providing enrichment, stimulation and exercise for the growing cubs. © Suzi Eszterhas

Conserving giant pandas in China

Giraffe

A giraffe mother grooming her calf in Serengeti/Credit: Getty Images

Giraffe guide: species facts, lifespan and habitat

Predation is not an important driver of Rothschild's giraffe grouping. © Ian Forsyth/Getty

Giraffes surprise scientists with their group sizing

Rothschild’s giraffes may now be reclassified as a subspecies of one of the four main giraffe species. © BFF

Giraffes are not one species, but four, according to a new study

Cheetah

Cheetah on a termite mound, Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya (Acinonyx jubatus)

Alarmingly low numbers spell trouble for the cheetah

A cheetah can reach speeds of up to 87kph. © Mike Powles/Getty

How can a cheetah run so fast?

Cheetah family in the Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya © Paul Souders/Getty

Is a cheetah born with spots?

Rhino

Way Kambas National Park, Lampung Province, southern Sumatra, Indonesia
Critically endangered / threatened species - fewer than 200 left
Captive - Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary within the park (Way Kambas National Park, Lampung Province, southern Sumatra,

Everything you need to know about Sumatran rhinos

Rhino in boma in Akagera National Park. © Scott Ramsay/African Parks

Successful translocation of rhinos to Rwanda

Black Rhino with calf

Rhino guide: how to identify, where to see and why they’re endangered

Elephant

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Elephant guide: species facts and best places to see in the wild

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Why African elephants are becoming hybrids

Tusker elephants have tusks weighing more than 45kg. There are thought to be only 21 tuskers left in east, central and southern Africa. © David Cayless/Getty

Famous elephant killed by poachers

More animals facts