Animal Species Profiles:

Mammals, Birds, Reptiles & More

Explore wildlife from around the world with the species profiles on WildlifePhotographer. Mammals, birds, reptiles… For each species, you’ll find key information such as habitat, observation periods, distribution, and photography tips. Want more details and advanced features? Download the full app for the complete experience.


Iberian Ibex

Capra pyrenaica

The Iberian Ibex is a large herbivore native to the mountains of the Iberian Peninsula, primarily in the mountain ranges of the Pyrenees and the Sierra de Gredos in Spain. It is easily recognizable by its massive, backward-curved horns and brown and gray coat. This ibex lives in rocky, steep terrain, where it feeds mainly on grasses, woody plants, and alpine vegetation. The Iberian Ibex is a social animal that forms family groups consisting of females and young, while adult males, called "ibex," form separate groups. The species nearly went extinct in the 20th century due to overhunting, but thanks to conservation efforts, its population has been restored in several regions of Spain. However, the Iberian Ibex remains vulnerable to habitat loss and human disturbances.
The Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin measures 2–3 m and weighs 150–230 kg, with a light grey streamlined body and a short beak. It forms small coastal groups in shallow tropical and subtropical waters, feeding on fish, cephalopods and crustaceans. Highly social and playful, it often interacts with boats, performing spectacular leaps and bow-riding.

Irrawaddy dolphin

Orcaella brevirostris

The Irrawaddy dolphin, Orcaella brevirostris, is a freshwater and coastal cetacean known for its rounded forehead and lack of a distinct beak. It typically measures between 2 and 2.7 meters and weighs up to 150 kg. Its skin is light gray with a paler belly. This dolphin is often seen in small groups and is noted for its social and curious behavior. It can swim in both freshwater and saltwater, frequenting estuaries, rivers, and coasts. Unfortunately, it is threatened by habitat degradation, accidental capture in fishing nets, and pollution. Its conservation is crucial to maintaining the balance of the aquatic ecosystems it inhabits.

Indian pond heron

Ardeola grayii

The Indian pond heron is a small heron of about 45 cm, with buff-brown plumage and white flight feathers visible in flight. It inhabits freshwater wetlands, rice paddies and riverbanks, standing motionless before striking fish, amphibians and insects with a quick bill thrust. During breeding, it builds a stick nest in waterside shrubs and the male performs courtship displays by raising neck feathers.

Icterine warbler

Hippolais icterina

The icterine warbler is a small migratory passerine, 11–13 cm long, with olive-green upperparts and pale yellow underparts, distinguished by a bright yellow supercilium. It inhabits open woodlands and edges, feeding mainly on insects and spiders gleaned from foliage or caught in flight. During breeding, males perform singing display flights and sing from elevated perches to attract females and defend territories.

Impala

Aepyceros melampus

The Impala is a medium-sized, slender, and graceful antelope, easily recognizable by its elegant, curved horns and its light brown to reddish coat, with a white belly and tail. It stands about 70 to 90 cm at the shoulder, with a total length of 1.2 to 2 meters, and weighs between 40 and 75 kg. Males have long, fine, lyre-shaped horns that can reach up to 90 cm in length, while females, which lack horns, are generally smaller. The Impala primarily inhabits savannas and woodland grasslands in East and Southern Africa, where it forms complex social groups. It primarily feeds on grass, but may also eat leaves and fruits when grass is less abundant. The Impala is an excellent runner, capable of making long leaps to escape its predators. Although the Impala is quite widespread, it is vulnerable to habitat loss and excessive hunting.

Indri

Indri indri

The Indri is one of the largest lemurs in Madagascar, known for its piercing call that echoes through the forest. With its thick fur and long arms, it primarily inhabits the tropical forests of eastern Madagascar. The Indri feeds mainly on leaves, fruits, and flowers, and remains loyal to a small territory which it defends with its songs. Due to deforestation and poaching, the Indri is critically endangered.

Iberian Hare

Lepus granatensis

The Iberian Hare is a rodent endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, primarily found in Spain and Portugal. It measures between 50 and 60 cm in length, with a tail of 6 to 9 cm, and weighs between 2 and 3 kg. This hare is smaller than its European cousin, with a lighter coat, often gray-brown or light brown, with darker markings on the back and a paler hue on the belly. The Iberian Hare primarily inhabits open plains, oak forests, and meadows, where it feeds on vegetation, mainly grasses, roots, leaves, and sometimes young shrub shoots. It is a crepuscular and nocturnal animal, most active at dusk and during the night. While the species is not immediately endangered, it is threatened by habitat loss, hunting, and the introduction of predators such as foxes and dogs.

Iberian Lynx

Lynx pardinus

The Iberian Lynx is a medium-sized cat endemic to the Iberian Peninsula, primarily found in southern Spain and Portugal. It measures about 80 to 100 cm in length, with a tail of about 10 to 15 cm, and weighs between 8 and 14 kg, with males generally being larger than females. Its coat is pale beige to light brown, with darker spots on the back and flanks, and a lighter underside. It has pointed ears, adorned with tufts of black fur, and a small beard on its chin. The Iberian Lynx primarily inhabits wooded and semi-desert areas, where it hunts prey such as hares, birds, and especially ungulates like deer and rabbits, which are its main food source. This solitary predator is highly territorial and uses calls and claw marks to demarcate its territory. Although it is one of the most endangered cats in the world, conservation efforts have helped increase its population, but it remains vulnerable to habitat loss and the decline of its natural prey.

Indian pangolin

Manis crassicaudata

The Indian pangolin is a nocturnal insectivorous mammal, 40–65 cm excluding tail, covered in brown keratinous scales with a long prehensile tail. It inhabits forests, scrublands, and agricultural areas of India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka, feeding primarily on ants and termites with its long sticky tongue. Largely solitary, it digs shallow burrows or shelters in abandoned termite mounds.

Indian peafowl

Pavo cristatus

The Peacock is a large bird native to the Indian subcontinent, but it is now found in many parts of the world, often raised for its magnificent feathers. It measures about 2 to 2.5 meters in length, much of which consists of its tail, which can reach up to 1.5 meters in length. The Peacock's feathers are brilliantly colorful, with blue, green, and gold patterns that are displayed during courtship rituals to attract females. Outside of the breeding season, the Peacock is a terrestrial bird, feeding on seeds, fruits, insects, and small reptiles. Although this species is not in immediate danger, it is threatened by habitat loss and hunting in some regions.

Indian porcupine

Hystrix indica

The Indian Porcupine is a large nocturnal mammal primarily found in South Asia, particularly in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It measures about 60 to 90 cm in length, with a tail of 25 to 30 cm, and weighs between 10 and 20 kg. Its body is covered with long, rigid quills that range from black to white, forming distinct bands along its back. The Indian Porcupine uses its quills as a defense against predators and can easily detach them to throw when threatened. This porcupine is herbivorous, primarily feeding on fruits, roots, bark, and young shoots. While its population remains generally stable, it can be threatened by deforestation, habitat loss, and hunting.

Indian python

Python molurus

The Indian Python is a large snake primarily found in the Indian subcontinent, including Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. It typically measures between 3 and 4 meters in length, although some specimens can reach up to 6 meters, and weighs between 30 and 90 kg. Its coloration is generally beige or light brown with dark spot-like patterns along its back. The Indian Python is a constrictor, meaning it kills its prey by suffocating it before swallowing it whole. It primarily feeds on mammals, birds, and reptiles, which it captures using its strength and ability to camouflage in its environment. While its population remains relatively stable, this snake can be threatened by habitat loss and hunting for its skin.