The Most Beautifully and Uniquely Colored Mammals in the World

Published by nobert soloria bermosa
August 31, 2008, Category: Zoology

List of the world’s most colorful mammals.

Birds, insects and fishes are considered to be the most colorful animals. On the other hand, most mammals are dull colored. Most are bi-colored or tri-colored but nevertheless, there are only a few that can be considered colorful.

Here’s a list of mammals that can be considered beautifully and uniquely colored.

1. Okapi

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

This beautifully colored ungulate called Okapi is native to the Ituri Rainforest of Democratic Republic of the Congo. Although the Okapi bears striped markings reminiscent of the zebra, it is most closely related to the giraffe.

2. Red-shanked Douc

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Probably among the most colorful of the primates is the Red-shanked Douc (Pygathrix nemaeus). This colorful and attractive primate is sometimes called the “costumed ape” for its extravagant appearance. This colorful monkey looks like a little Buddha, wearing a gray shirt and black shorts. It sports maroon-red stockings (from knee to ankle) and white forearm length gloves. Its attire is finished with black hands and feet. The golden face is framed by a white ruff, which is considerably fluffier in males. The eyelids are a soft powder blue.

3. Mandrills

Very impressive is the blue and red war paint on the face of Mandrills or Mandrillus sphinx males. This animal is among the most colorful mammals.

4. Sitatunga

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

The sitatunga, also known as the marsh buck or the swamp-dwelling antelope is one of the most colorful mammals in the world. It is found throughout central and western Africa. It is considered to be the only true amphibious antelope.

5. Red Panda

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Another beautifully colored mammal is the Red Panda. The Red Panda, endemic to the Himalayas in Bhutan, southern China, India, Laos, Nepal, and Myanmar, is also called Firefox, Fire Cat, or Lesser Panda. It is a mostly herbivorous mammal, specialized as a bamboo feeder. Red Panda is the state animal in the Indian state of Sikkim.

6. Clouded Leopard

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

This uniquely colored mammal is found in southern China, the eastern Himalayas, north-east India and mainland Southeast Asia. It is called the Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). It is a medium-sized cat and has a tan or tawny coat, and is distinctively marked with large, irregularly-shaped, dark-edged ellipses which are said to be shaped like clouds, hence both its common and original scientific name.

7. Springbok

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

This handsomely colored antelope named the Springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) is a medium sized brown and white gazelle that stands about 75 cm high. This animal can be found in South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

8. Serengeti

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

This lovely-looking cat because of it unique coloration is called the Serengeti cat. It is a cross between the Bengal cat and an Oriental cat.

9. Freiberger Horse

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One of the most brightly colored horses in the world is the Freiberger horse. The Freiberger is a draft horse from Switzerland. It is the last representative of the light cold blood horse in Europe.

10. Rough Collie

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Rough collies are not so brightly colored but nonetheless, it is one of the most beautifully colored breed of dogs. The Rough Collie is a breed of dog developed originally for herding in Scotland. It is well known because of the works of author Albert Payson Terhune, and was popularized in later generations by the “Lassie” novel, movies, and television shows.

Here’s an additional list of the most beautifully and uniquely colored mammals in the world

Golden Snub-nosed Monkey

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

Another brightly colored monkey is the Golden Snub-nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana). It is endemic to a small area in temperate, mountainous forests of central China, primarily around the Sichuan basin.