Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)

OTHER NAMES: Boar, Wild Swine, Eurasian Wild Pig

Latin Etymology: Sus ("swine") scrofa ("sow")

Two Wild Boar (subspecies S. s. scrofa) at El Pardo, Spain - April 2016

Featured Subspecies: Sus scrofa scrofa
Weight: 50-130kg  /  Length: 150cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The wild boar is a very large animal when you see it for the first time - even at a distance they stood out in the thin woodland before me as something that was just a bit more massive and primeval looking that the kind of species I'm used to in the UK.  Unlike a lot of other species of such size though, the Wild Boar is still a very successful species - spread across all of Eurasia from Spain to Siberia and South to Indonesia.  It's generally only prey to the very largest of carnivores in it's range - the wolf, the tiger and the komodo dragon are among the few species that regularly take it.  It's also the wild ancestor of the pig, which itself is ubiquitous as a domesticated animal in many parts of the world

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Suidae
Genus: Sus
SUBSPECIES: S. s. scrofa, S. s. algira, S. s. attila, S. s. cristatus, S. s. davidi, S. s. leucomystax, S. s. libycus, S. s. majori, S. s. meriodionalis, S. s. moupinensis, S. s. nigripes, S. s. riukiuanus, S. s. sibiricus, S. s. taivanus, S. s. ussuricus, S. s. vittatus

 - Sighting Locations -

SPAIN - Spanish - Jabalí ("Boar")
A widespread resident

 - MADRID 2016 TRIP: A pair seen from a distance at El Pardo

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Short-beaked Common Dolphin (Delphinus delphis)

OTHER NAMES: Common Dolphin
Latin Etymology: Delphinus ("dolphin") delphis ("dolphin")

Adult Short-beaked Common Dolphib (Delphinus delphis) at The Lizard, Cornwall - September 2020

Featured Subspecies: Delphinus delphis delphis
Weight: 100-136kg  /  Length: 1.5-2.7m
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern 

Between them, the two species of Common Dolphin are the most abundant cetaceans in the world with an estimated 6 million individuals.  The two species relationship to each other is somewhat disputed, with current suggestions being they hold a more taxonomically complicated relationship to each other than originally thought. They are an incredibly social species, where I saw numerous groups of individuals together, they have been recorded coming together in hundreds and even thousands.

Related Species:
ORDER: Artiodactyla
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Delphinus
SUBSPECIES: D. d. delphis, D. d. ponticus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A locally common species on the coast

 - Several pods seen on a boat trip off The Lizard, Cornwall, 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Harbour Porpoise (Phocoena phocoena)

OTHER NAMES: Common Porpoise, Puffing Pig
Latin Etymology: Phocoena ("big seal") phocoena ("big seal")

Harbour Porpoise (subspecies P. p. phocoena) at St Bee's Head, Cumbria - April 2011

Featured Subspecies: Phocoena phocoena phocoena
Weight: 61-76kg  /  Length: 67-85cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED/ IUCN Red List: Vulnerable 

The smallest species of cetacean found regularly in British Waters, they are unobtrusive feeders in coastal waters where they are usually solitary. Unlike more familiar dolphin species, they appear only very briefly to gain air; a momentary sliding out of the water quietly before vanishing back down again. They are found round much of the Northern Hemisphere but are currently classed as vulnerable due to population declines with threats including climate change, pollutions, overfishing and noise pollution all believed to be effecting them.

Related Species:
ORDER: Artiodactyla
Family: Phocoenidae

Genus: Phocoena
SUBSPECIES: P. p. phocoena, P. p. relicta, P. p. vomerina

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread but scarce resident of coastal waters

 - An individual seen from St Bees Head .

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Northern Chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra)

OTHER NAMES: Chamois, Alpine Chamois

Latin Etymology: Rupicapra ("cliff goat") rupicapra ("cliff goat")

Northern Chamois (subspecies R. r. rupicapra) in the Dolomites, Italy - July 2004

Featured Subspecies: Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra
Weight: 25-45kg  /  Length:107-137cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Chamois is a Goat-Antelope species of the mountains of Europe and parts of Europe bordering Asia - they are a herd species found in the higher reaches of mountains.  They summer in Alpine Meadows before descending into the treeline in Winter to feed.  They are found in mountainous regions throughout Southern Europe though by far the biggest block of this range is the Alps and surrounding ranges like the Dolomites.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Capra
SUBSPECIES: R. r. rupicapra, R.r. tatrica, R.r. balcanica, R. r. carpatica, R. r. cartusiana, R. r. asiatica, R. r. caucasica

 - Sighting Locations -

ITALY - Italian - Camoscio Alpino ("Alpine Chamois")

A fairly common resident of the high mountains.

 - DOLOMITES 2004 TRIP: Seen at several points in the Dolomites

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus)

OTHER NAMES: Western Roe Deer
Latin Etymology: Capreolus ("diminutive of goat") capreolus ("diminutive of goat")

Adult Roe Deer (subspecies C. c. capreolus) near Northumbria -  June 2022

Featured Subspecies: Capreolus capreolus capreolus
Weight: 15-35kg  /  Length: 65-75cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUTATED / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Roe Deer are the other species of native deer found in the British Isles in addition to the Red Deer. They are smaller than the Red and Fallow but bigger than a muntjac, and like the Muntjac they make barking noises. Their antlers are relatively small compared to red and fallow. A woodland species, they are relatively solitary.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla 
Family: Cervidae 
Genus: Capreolus 
SUBSPECIES: C. c. canus, C. c. capreolus, C. c. decorus

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A fairly common resident

 - A single individual in the woods near Keswick

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Reeve' Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi)

OTHER NAMES: Muntjac
Latin Etymology: Muntiacus ("muntjac") reevesi ("Reeves'")

Adult Reeve's Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi, unknown subspecies) on Pitsford Reservoir, Northants -  January 2011

Featured Subspecies: unknown

Weight: 10-18kg  /  Length: 95cm

UK STATUS NOT EVALUTATED / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A very small deer about the size of a collie. They are much more secretive than the larger species. They are also notable in that they don't have that large antlers and instead have tusks. They make a barking noise similar to dogs. Originally an introduced species, they have spread out massively to the point where they are in some places the most common or second most common species of deer.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae
Genus: Muntiacus 
SUBSPECIES: M. r. jiangkouensis, M. r. micrurus, M. r. reevesi, M. r. sinensis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A common introduced resident

 - Several seen at Pitsford Reservoir and Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus,  IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Red Deer (Cervus elaphus)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Cervus ("deer") elaphus ("deer")

Herd of Red Deer (subspecies C. e. scoticus) at Haweswater, Cumbria - April 2011

Featured Subspecies: Cervus elaphus scoticus
Weight: 160-240kg  /  Length: 201cm 
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Red Deer holds many size related records in the UK - it is the biggest extant land animal in the UK and the fourth largest deer in the world. They are one of only two native deer to the UK (along with the Roe, all others have been introduced) and are probably about the easiest to see if you are in the right place - they favour open country a lot more than the rest of the species which prefer woodland. Particularly common in the North of the country in mountainous and hilly country where it is often managed for shooting estates.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla 
Family: Cervidae 
Genus: Cervus 
SUBSPECIES: C. e. elaphus, C. e. alashanicus, C. e. atlanticus, C. e. barbarus, C. e. brauneri, C. e. canadensis, C. e. corsicanus, C. e. hanglu, C. e. hispanicus, C. e. kansuensis, C. e. macnelli, C. e. maral, C.e. nannodes, C. e. pannoniensis, C. e. scoticus, C. e. songaricus, C. e. wallichii, C. e. xanthopygus, C. e. yarkandensis

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A locally abundant resident

 - Seen around Haweswater

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List,  RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Fallow Deer (Dama dama)

OTHER NAMES: Persian Fallow Deer
Latin Etymology: Dama ("fallow deer") dama ("fallow deer")

Three subadult Fallow Deer (subspecies D. d. dama) at Geddington, Norhants - October 2010

Featured Subspecies: Dama dama dama
Weight: 30-100kg  /  Length:130-160cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The fallow deer is the second largest deer in the UK. It was originally introduced to the UK by either the Romans or Normans (it is apparently unclear which). It is a woodland species which is often found in herds. The males have large and spectacular antlers, along with a distinctive which flecked back which differentiates it from other deer. The animals in the photo are not fully grown.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla 
Family: Cervidae 
Genus: Dama 
SUBSPECIES: D. d. dama, D. d. mesopotamica

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A locally abundant resident

 - Seen most frequently around Geddington

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Sika Deer (Cervus nippon)

OTHER NAMES: Spotted Deer, Japanese Deer

Latin Etymology: Cervus ("deer") nippon ("of Japan")

Adult Sika Deer (subspecies C. n. yesoensis) at Akkeshi, Japan - December 2014

Featured Subspecies: Ezo Deer - Cervus nippon yesoensis
Weight: 45-109kg  /  Length: 95-180cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUTATED / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Sika Deer are the closest relation of the Red Deer and native to the Far East of Asia.  In addition to their close relationship, the Sika Deer in Japan has also benefited from the eradication of wolves in its native range, meaning that its population has exploded mostly unchecked except for humans.  The Sika deer has also been introduced into the UK in several places, and there are a number of feral populations present, some of which have been interbreeding with native red deer.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae
Genus: Cervus
Subspecies: C. n. aplodontus, C. n. grassianus, C. n. keramae, C. n. kopschi, C. n. mandarinus, C. n. mantchuricus, C. n. nippon, C. n. pseudaxis, C. n. pulchellus, C. n. sichuanicus, C. n. soloensis, C. n. taioanus, C. n. yesoensis

 - Sighting Locations -

JAPAN - Japanese - ニホンジカ  /  Nihonjika ("Japan Deer") 

Widespread resident

 - TOKYO/HOKKAIDO 2014 TRIP: Several seen from train near Akkeshi 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis)

OTHER NAMES: Vampire Deer, Chinese Water Deer
Latin Etymology: Hydropotes ("water drinking") inermis ("unarmed")

Adult male Water Deer (subspecies Hydropotes inermis inermis) at Thornham Harbour - November 2020

Featured Subspecies: Hydropotes inermis inermis (Chinese Water Deer)
Weight: 9-14kg  /  Length: 77-100cm  
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED/ IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

This small unusual deer species is native to China and Korea - it lacks any antlers at all, but is notable for it's large fang-like tusks, causing it to be classed as belonging to it's own subfamily with Cervidae. Despite it's native habitat of East Asia, it is notably seen in the UK; following escapee's from Woburn and Whipsnade a feral population has sprung uk in the East of England, and continuing to increase.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla 
Family: Cervidae 
Genus: Hydropotes
SUBSPECIES: H. i. inermis, H. i. argyropus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - An escapee from collections that has gone on to have a breeding population.

 - Two at Thornham Harbour

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Beluga Whale (Delphinapterus leucas)

OTHER NAMES: Beluga, Sea Canary, White Whale
Latin Etymology: Delphinapterus ("dolphin without fin") leucas ("white")

 Beluga (Delphinapterus leucas) at Gravesend - September 2018

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 700-1600kg  /  Length: 3-5.5m
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

Beluga have been one of my favourite mammals since childhood, but, given the fact they are restricted to the Arctic Ocean for the most part, I had assumed that if I ever got to see one, it would be through a planned trip to some cold Northerly place.  So it was something of a surprise for one to turn up in the Thames in September 2018, and what's more, stick around for long enough for me to go see it.   The pure white colour is the most iconic visual cue, but they have a number of other distinctive adaptations including a very flexible neck for a whale and an absense of a dorsal fin.  They are also highly social creatures, so it's somewhat sad that this individual has been separated from it's pod, and as of writing, is still in Thames on it's own - hopefully it finds its way home.

Related Species:
ORDER: Artiodactyla
FAMILY: Monodontidae
GENUS: Delphinapterus
SUBSPECIES: none - monotypic 

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A very rare vagrant, 

 - Single vagrant individual seen in the Thames from Gravesend ,

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto .

Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus)

OTHER NAMES: Black-tailed Deer, Blacktail Deer
Latin Etymology: Odocoileus ("hollow tooth") hemionus

Yonug of Mule Deer (subspecies O. h. columbianus) at Roy's Redwoods - August 2022

Featured Subspecies: Odocoileus hemionus columbianus ("Columbian Black-tailed Deer")
Weight: 43-150kg  /  Length: 1.2-2.1cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

One of the most abundant deer species of North America, the Mule Deer gets its name from it's large ostensiably mule like ears. They are found in the Western half of North America where they are found in a wide range of climates from Canada and Alaska to Mexico.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Cervidae
Genus: Odocoileus
SUBSPECIES: O. h. californicus, O. h. cerrosensis, O. h. eremicus, O. h. fuliginatus, O. h. hemonious, O. h. inyoensis, O. h. peninsulae, O. h. sheldoni, O. h. columbianus, O. h. sitkensis

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found over the majority of the Western half of the Lower 48, and pockets of Alaska. Introduced in Hawai'i
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen at Roy's Redwoods, 

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae)

OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Megaptera ("giant wing") novaeangliae ("New Englander") 

Adult Humpback Whale (subspecies M. n. kuzira) on Half Moon Bay Pelagic - September 2022

Featured Subspecies: Megaptera novaeangliae kuzira
Weight: 40tns  /  Length: 14-17m
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The seventh largest species on earth, the Humpback is a huge and distinctive member of the rorquals - the ground the comprises the largest of the baleen whales. They are visually distinctive amongst this group due to the tubercles they have on their head and flippers, as well as having jagged edged to their tail flukes. Once bought to near extinction by the whaling industry, their numbers have substantially rebounded, but they continue to be affected by ship collisions, fishing gear entanglement and noise pollution.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla (Infraorder: Cetacea)
Family: Balaenopteridae
Genus: Megaptera
SUBSPECIES: M. n. novaeangliae, M. n. kuzira, M. n. australis

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES 
Found off all coasts
 - CALIFORNIA 2022 TRIP: Seen on the Half Moon Bay Pelagic Trip

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Common Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

OTHER NAMES: Atlantic Bottlenose Dolphin, Bottlenose Dolphin
Latin Etymology: Tursiops (Latin: Dolphin) truncatus ("cut off") 

Three Common Bottlenose Dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) at Flamborough, Yorkshire - September 2023

Featured Subspecies: Tursiops truncatus truncatus
Weight: 150-650kg  /  Length: 2-4m  
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED/ IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Probably one of the best recognised of all mammals, the Bottlenose Dolphin is the largest of the beaked dolphin and widely considered one of the most intelligent animals on the planet. Modern research has split Bottlenose Dolphins into three distinct species, with the Atlantic being the one found in British Waters. A lively, social and charismatic species, they can live in pods of a few indivuduals to hundreds.

Related Species:
ORDER: Artiodactyla
Family: Delphinidae
Genus: Tursiops
SUBSPECIES: T. t. truncatus,  t. ponticus, T. t. gephyreus

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - A widespread if scarce coastal species
 - Two pods een at Flamborough in September 2023

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)

OTHER NAMES: American Antelope, Prob Buck, Prairie Antelope
Latin Etymology:  Antilocapra ("antelope goat") americana ("of America")

Adult female Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) in Montana, USA - July 2024

Featured Subspecies: Antilocapra americana americana
Weight: 40-65kg  /  Length: 130-150cm
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

A fascinating instance of a species that has survived it's evolutionary contemporaries. Despite appearances, they are not especially closesly related to Antelopes of Africa and Eurasia and are instead the sole survivor of a family of species that spread across the americas filling different niches. Their closest living relatives are the Giraffe and Okapi.  They also have the distinction of being the second fastest land animal in the world and the fastest in the Americas, which is somewhat perculiar in the context of a lack of high speed pursuit predators in modern America, has been postulated as an adaptation to outrun the now extinct American Cheetah.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Antilocapridae
Genus: Antilocapra
SUBSPECIES: A. a. americana, A. a. mexicana, A. a. peninsularis, A. a. sonoriensis

 - Sighting Locations -

UNITED STATES - Found inland on suitable habitat in the Western Lower 48
 - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: Seen in Montana

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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Caribou (Rangifer tarandus)

OTHER NAMES: Reindeer
Latin Etymology:  Rangifer ("reindeer") tarandus (a deer like mythical creature)

Young adult Caribou (Rangifer tarandus) in Yukon, Canada - August 2034

Featured Subspecies: Boreal Woodland Caribou - Rangifer tarandus caribou
Weight: 80-180kg  /  Length: 2.2m 
NO UK STATUS / IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

With a near circumpolar distribution, the Caribou is one of most iconic species of the Arctic, and yet still one whose taxonomy is subject to new discoveries: some studies suggest the species as we recognise it now may in fact represent up to six species. Different genetic lineages, whether full species or subspecies have each developed their own ecotype for habitats such as open tundra, forest and mountains.

Related Species:
Order: Artiodactyla 
Family: Cervidae 
Genus: Rangifer
SUBSPECIES: R. t. arcticus, R. t. fortidens, R. t. granti, R. t. montanus, R. t. osborni, R. t. pearyi, R. t. stonei, R. t. caribou, R. t. caboti, R. t. terranovae, R. t. fennicus, R. t. valentinae, R. t. groenlandicus, R. t. platyrhynchus, R. t. pearsoni, R. t. plylarchus, R. t. sibiricus, R. t. tarandus

 - Sighting Locations -

CANADA -Present throughout most of Canada
  - CHICAGO TO ALASKA ROADTRIP 2024: - Seen in the Yukon

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto

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