Animals that start with M

Macaws are a group of parrots found in tropical areas. The most recognizable kind of macaw is the scarlet macaw in the picture. Macaws are often kept as pets.

Maggot is the common name for the larvae of flies. Flies typically lay their eggs or put live maggots onto rotting food that they find. Maggots are very commonly seen in carrion. The maggots eat the food, grow bigger and then pupate and turn into flies.

Magpies are a black and white bird related to the crow. They are very intelligent. They eat dead animals they find, insects and anything else they find that they can eat.

The magpie in the picture is an Australian magpie.

Maine coons are one of the largest cat breeds. They are from the United States, where it is thought they might have come about from local cats breeding with bobcats. They are gentle cats, with long, flowing hair and sometimes tufts on the ends of their ears.

Maltese are small toy or lap dogs with silky white hair. They are an ancient breed, and were used as a lap dog by ladies in Roman times. They have black eyes and a black nose, which gives them a very "cute" appearance. Maltese are cuddly companion dogs, and thrive on attention but can be snappy around children. They have a reputation for being a yappy dog.

A mammal is a creature with warm blood, is covered in hair and feeds its babies with milk.

Manatees, also called sea cows, are mammals closely related to the dugong. They grow to around 3 meters long, and weigh around 4,000 pounds (1,700kg). They eat plants in fairly shallow water around the coast and in rivers.

Mandarin ducks are a very striking and attractive kind of duck originally from China and parts of Russia. As with most birds, the female of the species is a dull brown.

Manx cats are originally from the Isle of Man. They have a mutation of the spine that leaves them with either a very short tail or no tail at all.

A mare is a female horse. A male horse is called a stallion and a baby horse is called a foal.