Mammals

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The mammals are perhaps the most familiar of all the animal classes, being the one to which we humans belong. The presence of a neocortex in our brains, hair, three bones in our middle ear, and mammary glands that mean all female nurse young with milk sets the mammals apart from any other group of animals. Globally, the mammals have conquered every content and there are about 5,400 species currently know to science, from the bizarre to the familiar. The British Isles and its waters are home to 101 species of mammal, 49 of which are considered native.

Badgers & Weasels

Sleek and powerful mammals, Britain's native mustelids are the badger, otter, pine marten, polecat, stoat, and weasel.

Bats

An overview of bat natural history with a focus on the 16 species found in Britain.

Beavers

Large semi-aquatic, tree-felling rodents. Related to pocket gophers and kangaroo rats; more distantly to mice and rats.

Cats

Britain's home to only a single wildcat species; the elusive Scottish wildcat or Highland tiger.

Deer

Deer are our largest terrestrial mammals and all six wild species appear to be thriving in the British countryside.

Foxes

Very familiar and highly controversial, foxes are Britain’s only wild canid and one of the few species to have thrived in our cities.

Hedgehogs

Once a common sight in Britain’s hedge-rich pasture farmland, our only spiny mammal is an increasingly rare sight.

Mice & Voles

Small mammals that are often overlooked, but which play crucial roles in the biodiversity of our fields, woodlands and rivers.

Moles

Small fossorial mammals comprising about 50 species worldwide, moles are rarely seen despite their ubiquitous presence betrayed by the presence of molehills.

Otters

Large semi-aquatic mustelids feeding primarily on fish.

Pigs

Sus scrofa

Britain's home to only a single wild pig species and it's starting to make a comeback after a tumultuous history.

Rabbits & Hares

Widely persecuted, all three of Britain’s lagomorph species have had a tumultuous history in our countryside.

Seals

Instantly familiar, seals are among the largest of Britain's mammals. Two species call our coastline home, with another five turning up on occasion.

Shrews

Small, insect-eating mammals characterized by their long, pointed snouts, tiny eyes, and short lifespans.

Squirrels

Tree-climbing rodents widespread in our gardens, parks and forests. Two species call Britain home: the Red and the Grey.

Bibliography

To see references, visit the bibliography for this class.