This is a list of the native wild mammal species recorded in South America. South America's terrestrial mammals fall into three distinct groups. The marsupials and xenarthrans are 'old-timers', their ancestors having been present on the continent since at least the very early Cenozoic Era. During the early Cenozoic, South America's only land connection was to Antarctica, so it was effectively cut off from most of the world; as the fragments of Gondwana continued to separate, this connection was lost, leaving South America an island continent. Caviomorph rodents and monkeys arrived as 'waif dispersers' by rafting across the Atlantic from Africa in the Eocene epoch, 35 million or more years ago. All the remaining nonflying mammals of South America are recent arrivals, having migrated from North America via Central America during the past seven million years as part of the Great American Interchange; this invasion, which peaked around three million years ago, was made possible when the formation of the volcanic Isthmus of Panama bridged North and South America. The newcomers out-competed and drove to extinction many unique mammals that had evolved during South America's long period of isolation, as well as some species from other classes (e.g., terror birds).
South America suffered another major loss of mammal species in the Quaternary extinction event, which started around 12500 cal BP, at roughly the time of arrival of Paleoindians, and may have lasted up to several thousand years. At least 37 genera of mammals were eliminated, including most of the megafauna. While South America currently has no megaherbivore species weighing more than 1000 kg, prior to this event it had a menagerie of about 25 of them (consisting of gomphotheres, camelids, ground sloths, glyptodonts, and toxodontids – 75% of these being 'old-timers'), dwarfing Africa's present and recent total of 6.
Anthropogenic climate change and the damage to its ecosystems resulting from the rapid recent growth of the human population pose a further threat to South America's biodiversity.
The list consists of those species found in the nations or overseas territories of continental South America (including their island possessions, such as the Galápagos), as well as in Trinidad and Tobago and the Falkland Islands; Panama is not included. As of May 2012, the list contains 1331 species, 340 genera, 62 families and 15 orders. Of the taxa from nonflying, nonmarine groups (992 species, 230 genera, 40 families and 12 orders), 'old-timers' comprise 14% of species, 15% of genera, 20% of families and 42% of orders; African immigrants make up 38% of species, 30% of genera, 40% of families and 17% of orders; North American invaders constitute 49% of species 55% of genera, 40% of families and 50% of orders. At the order level, the 'old-timers' are overrepresented because of their ancient local origins, while the African immigrants are underrepresented because of their 'sweepstakes' mode of dispersal.
Of the species, 9 are extinct, 29 are critically endangered, 64 are endangered, 111 are vulnerable, 64 are near-threatened, and 255 are data-deficient. Mammal species presumed extinct since AD 1500 (nine or ten cases) are included. Domestic species (e.g., the guinea pig, alpaca, and llama) and introduced species are not listed.
NOTE: this list is inevitably going to be incomplete, since new species are continually being recognized via discovery or reclassification. Places to check for missing species include the Wikipedia missing mammal species list, including recently removed entries, and the species listings in the articles for mammalian genera, especially those of small mammals such as rodents or bats.
The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the IUCN:
The IUCN status of all listed species except bats was last updated during the period from March to June 2009; bats were updated in September 2009.
The infraclass Metatheria includes all living and extinct marsupials, but also includes some related extinct orders of mammals that are no longer considered marsupials, such as Sparassodonta. At least six families of sparassodonts lived in South America prior to the interchange, dominating the niches for large mammalian carnivores.
Marsupials are a collection of pouched mammals that was once more widely distributed. Today they are found primarily in isolated or formerly isolated continents of Gondwanan origin. South America's 22 extant genera compares with 10 in Central America, 1 in North America north of Mexico, 52 in Australia, 28 in New Guinea and 2 in Sulawesi. South American marsupials are thought to be ancestral to those of Australasia.
Order: Didelphimorphia (common opossums)
Didelphimorphia is the order of common opossums of the Western Hemisphere. Opossums probably diverged from the basic South American marsupials in the late Cretaceous or early Paleocene. They are small to medium-sized marsupials, about the size of a large house cat, with a long snout and prehensile tail.
Family: Didelphidae (American opossums)
Subfamily: Caluromyinae
Genus: Caluromys
Derby's woolly opossum Caluromys derbianus LC
Brown-eared woolly opossum Caluromys lanatus LC
Bare-tailed woolly opossum Caluromys philander LC
Genus: Caluromysiops
Black-shouldered opossum Caluromysiops irrupta LC
Subfamily: Glironiinae
Genus: Glironia
Bushy-tailed opossum Glironia venusta LC
Subfamily: Hyladelphinae
Genus: Hyladelphys
Kalinowski's mouse opossum Hyladelphys kalinowskii LC
Subfamily: Didelphinae
Genus Chacodelphys
Chacoan pygmy opossum Chacodelphys formosa VU
Genus: Chironectes
Water opossum Chironectes minimus LC
Genus Cryptonanus
Agricola's gracile opossum Cryptonanus agricolai DD
Chacoan gracile opossum Cryptonanus chacoensis LC
Guahiba gracile opossum Cryptonanus guahybae DD
Red-bellied gracile opossum †Cryptonanus ignitus EX
Unduavi gracile opossum Cryptonanus unduaviensis DD
Genus: Didelphis
White-eared opossum Didelphis albiventris LC
Big-eared opossum Didelphis aurita LC
Guianan white-eared opossum Didelphis imperfecta LC
Common opossum Didelphis marsupialis LC
Andean white-eared opossum Didelphis pernigra LC
Genus: Gracilinanus
Aceramarca gracile opossum Gracilinanus aceramarcae LC
Agile gracile opossum Gracilinanus agilis LC
Wood sprite gracile opossum Gracilinanus dryas NT
Emilia's gracile opossum 'Gracilinanus emiliae DD
Northern gracile opossum Gracilinanus marica LC
Brazilian gracile opossum Gracilinanus microtarsus LC
Genus: Lestodelphys
Patagonian opossum Lestodelphys halli LC
Genus: Lutreolina
Lutrine opossum Lutreolina crassicaudata LC
Genus: Marmosa
Subgenus: Eomarmosa
Red mouse opossum Marmosa rubra DD
Subgenus: Exulomarmosa
Isthmian mouse opossum Marmosa isthmica
Robinson's mouse opossum Marmosa robinsoni LC
Marmosa simonsi
Guajira mouse opossum Marmosa xerophila VU
Marmosa zeledoni
Subgenus: Marmosa
Quechuan mouse opossum Marmosa macrotarsus LC
Linnaeus's mouse opossum Marmosa murina LC
Tyler's mouse opossum Marmosa tyleriana DD
Marmosa waterhousei
Subgenus: Micoureus
Alston's mouse opossum Marmosa alstoni LC
White-bellied woolly mouse opossum Marmosa constantiae LC
Woolly mouse opossum Marmosa demerarae LC
Tate's woolly mouse opossum Marmosa paraguayana LC
Little woolly mouse opossum Marmosa phaea VU
Bare-tailed woolly mouse opossum Marmosa regina LC
Subgenus: Stegomarmosa
Heavy-browed mouse opossum Marmosa andersoni DD
Rufous mouse opossum Marmosa lepida LC
Genus: Marmosops
Bishop's slender opossum Marmosops bishopi LC
Marmosops caucae
Narrow-headed slender opossum Marmosops cracens DD
Creighton's slender opossum Marmosops creightoni DD
Dusky slender opossum Marmosops fuscatus DD
Handley's slender opossum Marmosops handleyi CR
Tschudi's slender opossum Marmosops impavidus LC
Gray slender opossum Marmosops incanus LC
Junin slender opossum Marmosops juninensis VU
Neblina slender opossum Marmosops neblina LC
White-bellied slender opossum Marmosops noctivagus LC
Dorothy's slender opossum Marmosops ocellatus LC
Delicate slender opossum Marmosops parvidens LC
Brazilian slender opossum Marmosops paulensis LC
Pinheiro's slender opossum Marmosops pinheiroi LC
Genus: Metachirus
Brown four-eyed opossum Metachirus nudicaudatus LC
Genus: Monodelphis
Sepia short-tailed opossum Monodelphis adusta LC
Northern three-striped opossum Monodelphis americana LC
Monodelphis arlindoi
Northern red-sided opossum Monodelphis brevicaudata LC
Yellow-sided opossum Monodelphis dimidiata LC
Gray short-tailed opossum Monodelphis domestica LC
Emilia's short-tailed opossum Monodelphis emiliae LC
Monodelphis gardneri
Amazonian red-sided opossum Monodelphis glirina LC
Monodelphis handleyi
Ihering's three-striped opossum Monodelphis iheringi DD
Pygmy short-tailed opossum Monodelphis kunsi LC
Marajó short-tailed opossum Monodelphis maraxina DD
Osgood's short-tailed opossum Monodelphis osgoodi LC
Hooded red-sided opossum Monodelphis palliolata LC
Monodelphis peruviana
Reig's opossum Monodelphis reigi VU
Ronald's opossum Monodelphis ronaldi LC
Chestnut-striped opossum Monodelphis rubida DD
Monodelphis sanctaerosae
Long-nosed short-tailed opossum Monodelphis scalops LC
Southern red-sided opossum Monodelphis sorex LC
Southern three-striped opossum Monodelphis theresa DD
Monodelphis touan
Red three-striped opossum Monodelphis umbristriata VU
One-striped opossum Monodelphis unistriata DD
Genus: Philander
Anderson's four-eyed opossum Philander andersoni LC
Deltaic four-eyed opossum Philander deltae LC
Southeastern four-eyed opossum Philander frenata LC
McIlhenny's four-eyed opossum Philander mcilhennyi LC
Mondolfi's four-eyed opossum Philander mondolfii LC
Olrog's four-eyed opossum Philander olrogi
Gray four-eyed opossum Philander opossum LC
Genus: Thylamys
Cinderella fat-tailed mouse opossum Thylamys cinderella LC
Thylamys citellus
Elegant fat-tailed mouse opossum Thylamys elegans LC
Karimi's fat-tailed mouse opossum Thylamys karimii VU
Paraguayan fat-tailed mouse opossum Thylamys macrura NT
White-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum Thylamys pallidior LC
Thylamys pulchellus
Common fat-tailed mouse opossum Thylamys pusillus LC
Argentine fat-tailed mouse opossum Thylamys sponsorius LC
Tate's fat-tailed mouse opossum Thylamys tatei DD
Dwarf fat-tailed mouse opossum Thylamys velutinus LC
Buff-bellied fat-tailed mouse opossum Thylamys venustus DD
Order: Paucituberculata (shrew opossums)
There are six extant species of shrew opossum. They are small shrew-like marsupials confined to the Andes.
Family: Caenolestidae
Genus: Caenolestes
Gray-bellied caenolestid Caenolestes caniventer NT
Andean caenolestid Caenolestes condorensis VU
Northern caenolestid Caenolestes convelatus VU
Dusky caenolestid Caenolestes fuliginosus LC
Genus: Lestoros
Incan caenolestid Lestoros inca LC
Genus: Rhyncholestes
Long-nosed caenolestid Rhyncholestes raphanurus NT
Order: Microbiotheria (monito del monte)
The monito del monte of Chile and Argentina is the only extant member of its family and the only surviving member of an ancient order, Microbiotheria. It appears to be more closely related to Australian marsupials than to other Neotropic marsupials; this is a reflection of the South American origin of all Australasian marsupials.
Family: Microbiotheriidae
Genus: Dromiciops
Monito del monte Dromiciops gliroides NT
Order: Sirenia (manatees and dugongs)
Sirenia is an order of fully aquatic, herbivorous mammals that inhabit rivers, estuaries, coastal marine waters, swamps, and marine wetlands. All four species are endangered. They evolved about 50 million years ago, and their closest living relatives are elephants. The manatees are the only extant afrotherians in the Americas. However, a number proboscid species, some of which survived until the arrival of Paleoindians, once inhabited the region. Those that reached South America have usually been classified as gomphotheres, but sometimes instead as elephantids.
Family: Trichechidae
Genus: Trichechus
Amazonian manatee Trichechus inunguis VU
West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus VU
Order: Cingulata (armadillos)
The armadillos are small mammals with a bony armored shell. All 21 extant species are found in South America, where they originated. Their much larger relatives, the pampatheres and glyptodonts, once lived in North and South America but became extinct following the appearance of humans.
Family: Dasypodidae (long-nosed armadillos)
Subfamily: Dasypodinae
Genus: Dasypus
Southern long-nosed armadillo Dasypus hybridus NT
Greater long-nosed armadillo Dasypus kappleri LC
Nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus LC
Hairy long-nosed armadillo Dasypus pilosus VU
Llanos long-nosed armadillo Dasypus sabanicola LC
Seven-banded armadillo Dasypus septemcinctus LC
Yepes's mulita Dasypus yepesi DD
Family: Chlamyphoridae (armadillos)
Subfamily Chlamyphorinae
Genus: Calyptophractus
Greater fairy armadillo Calyptophractus retusus DD
Genus: Chlamyphorus
Pink fairy armadillo Chlamyphorus truncatus DD
Subfamily: Euphractinae
Genus: Chaetophractus
Andean hairy armadillo Chaetophractus nationi VU
Screaming hairy armadillo Chaetophractus vellerosus LC
Big hairy armadillo Chaetophractus villosus LC
Genus: Euphractus
Six-banded armadillo Euphractus sexcinctus LC
Genus: Zaedyus
Pichi Zaedyus pichiy NT
Subfamily: Tolypeutinae
Genus: Cabassous
Northern naked-tailed armadillo Cabassous centralis DD
Chacoan naked-tailed armadillo Cabassous chacoensis NT
Greater naked-tailed armadillo Cabassous tatouay LC
Southern naked-tailed armadillo Cabassous unicinctus LC
Genus: Priodontes
Giant armadillo Priodontes maximus VU
Genus: Tolypeutes
Southern three-banded armadillo Tolypeutes matacus NT
Brazilian three-banded armadillo Tolypeutes tricinctus VU
Order: Pilosa (sloths and anteaters)
The order Pilosa is confined to the Americas and contains the tree sloths and anteaters (which include the tamanduas). All 5 extant genera and 9 of 10 extant species are present in South America, the ancestral home of the group. (The exception is the pygmy three-toed sloth, endemic to an island off Panama.) Numerous ground sloths, some of which reached the size of elephants, were once present in both North and South America, as well as on the Antilles. (Some west coastal South American forms had even evolved into marine sloths.) All of these went extinct following the arrival of humans. Extant tree sloths fall into two groups that are not closely related, and which do not form a clade; two-toed sloths are much more closely related to some extinct ground sloths than to three-toed sloths.
Suborder: Folivora
Family: Bradypodidae (three-toed sloths)
Genus: Bradypus
Maned sloth Bradypus torquatus VU
Pale-throated sloth Bradypus tridactylus LC
Brown-throated sloth Bradypus variegatus LC
Family: Megalonychidae (two-toed sloths)
Genus: Choloepus
Linnaeus's two-toed sloth Choloepus didactylus LC
Hoffmann's two-toed sloth Choloepus hoffmanni LC
Suborder: Vermilingua
Family: Cyclopedidae
Genus: Cyclopes
Silky anteater Cyclopes didactylus LC
Family: Myrmecophagidae (American anteaters)
Genus: Myrmecophaga
Giant anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla VU
Genus: Tamandua
Northern tamandua Tamandua mexicana LC
Southern tamandua Tamandua tetradactyla LC
Order: Primates
The order Primates includes the lemurs, monkeys, and apes, with the latter category including humans. It is divided into four main groupings: strepsirrhines, tarsiers, monkeys of the New World (parvorder Platyrrhini), and monkeys and apes of the Old World. South America's 20 genera of nonhuman primates compares with 6 in Central America, 15 in Madagascar, 23 in Africa and 19 in Asia. All South American monkeys are believed to be descended from ancestors that rafted over from Africa about 25 million years ago in a single dispersal event.
Suborder: Haplorrhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Parvorder: Platyrrhini (New World monkeys)
Family: Aotidae (night monkeys)
Genus: Aotus
Azara's night monkey Aotus azarae LC
Brumback's night monkey Aotus brumbacki VU
Gray-handed night monkey Aotus griseimembra VU
Hernández-Camacho's night monkey Aotus jorgehernandezi DD
Gray-bellied night monkey Aotus lemurinus VU
Peruvian night monkey Aotus miconax VU
Nancy Ma's night monkey Aotus nancymaae LC
Black-headed night monkey Aotus nigriceps LC
Three-striped night monkey Aotus trivirgatus LC
Spix's night monkey Aotus vociferans LC
Panamanian night monkey Aotus zonalis DD
Family: Callitrichidae
Genus: Callibella
Roosmalens' dwarf marmoset Callibella humilis VU
Genus: Cebuella
Pygmy marmoset Cebuella pygmaea LC
Genus: Callithrix
Buffy-tufted marmoset Callithrix aurita VU
Buffy-headed marmoset Callithrix flaviceps EN
White-headed marmoset Callithrix geoffroyi LC
Common marmoset Callithrix jacchus LC
Wied's marmoset Callithrix kuhlii NT
Black-tufted marmoset Callithrix penicillata LC
Genus: Mico
Rio Acari marmoset Mico acariensis DD
Silvery marmoset Mico argentatus LC
Gold-and-white marmoset Mico chrysoleucus DD
Emilia's marmoset Mico emiliae DD
Santarem marmoset Mico humeralifer DD
Hershkovitz's marmoset Mico intermedius LC
White marmoset Mico leucippe VU
Manicore marmoset Mico manicorensis LC
Marca's marmoset Mico marcai DD
Maués marmoset Mico mauesi LC
Black-tailed marmoset Mico melanurus LC
Black-headed marmoset Mico nigriceps DD
Rondon's marmoset Mico rondoni VU
Satéré marmoset Mico saterei LC
Genus: Callimico
Goeldi's marmoset Callimico goeldii VU
Genus: Leontopithecus
Superagui lion tamarin Leontopithecus caissara CR
Golden-headed lion tamarin Leontopithecus chrysomelas EN
Black lion tamarin Leontopithecus chrysopygus EN
Golden lion tamarin Leontopithecus rosalia EN
Genus: Saguinus
Pied tamarin Saguinus bicolor EN
Brown-mantled tamarin Saguinus fuscicollis LC
Geoffroy's tamarin Saguinus geoffroyi LC
Graells's tamarin Saguinus graellsi NT
Emperor tamarin Saguinus imperator LC
Mottle-faced tamarin Saguinus inustus LC
White-lipped tamarin Saguinus labiatus LC
White-footed tamarin Saguinus leucopus EN
Martins's tamarin Saguinus martinsi LC
White-mantled tamarin Saguinus melanoleucus LC
Red-handed tamarin Saguinus midas LC
Moustached tamarin Saguinus mystax LC
Black tamarin Saguinus niger VU
Black-mantled tamarin Saguinus nigricollis LC
Cottontop tamarin Saguinus oedipus CR
Red-capped tamarin Saguinus pileatus LC
Golden-mantled tamarin Saguinus tripartitus NT
Family: Cebidae
Subfamily: Cebinae
Genus: Cebus
Cebus aequatorialis CR
White-fronted capuchin Cebus albifrons LC
Cebus brunneus LC
White-headed capuchin Cebus capucinus NE
Cebus cesarae DD
Cebus cuscinus NT
Kaapori capuchin Cebus kaapori CR
Cebus malitiosus EN
Weeper capuchin Cebus olivaceus NE
Cebus versicolor EN
Genus: Sapajus
Tufted capuchin Sapajus apella LC
Azaras's capuchin Sapajus cay LC
Blond capuchin Sapajus flavius CR
Black-striped capuchin Sapajus libidinosus LC
Large-headed capuchin Sapajus macrocephalus LC
Black capuchin Sapajus nigritus NT
Crested capuchin Sapajus robustus EN
Golden-bellied capuchin Sapajus xanthosternos CR
Subfamily: Saimiriinae
Genus: Saimiri
Black-capped squirrel monkey Saimiri boliviensis LC
Common squirrel monkey Saimiri sciureus LC
Bare-eared squirrel monkey Saimiri ustus NT
Black squirrel monkey Saimiri vanzolinii VU
Family: Atelidae
Subfamily: Alouattinae
Genus: Alouatta
Ursine howler Alouatta arctoidea LC
Red-handed howler Alouatta belzebul VU
Black howler Alouatta caraya LC
Spix's red-handed howler Alouatta discolor VU
Brown howler Alouatta guariba LC
Juruá red howler Alouatta juara LC
Guyanan red howler Alouatta macconnelli LC
Amazon black howler Alouatta nigerrima LC
Mantled howler Alouatta palliata LC
Purus red howler Alouatta puruensis LC
Bolivian red howler Alouatta sara LC
Venezuelan red howler Alouatta seniculus LC
Maranhão red-handed howler Alouatta ululata EN
Subfamily: Atelinae
Genus: Ateles
White-fronted spider monkey Ateles belzebuth EN
Peruvian spider monkey Ateles chamek EN
Black-headed spider monkey Ateles fusciceps CR
Geoffroy's spider monkey Ateles geoffroyi EN
Brown spider monkey Ateles hybridus CR
White-cheeked spider monkey Ateles marginatus EN
Red-faced spider monkey Ateles paniscus VU
Genus: Brachyteles
Southern muriqui Brachyteles arachnoides EN
Northern muriqui Brachyteles hypoxanthus CR
Genus: Lagothrix
Gray woolly monkey Lagothrix cana EN
Brown woolly monkey Lagothrix lagothricha VU
Colombian woolly monkey Lagothrix lugens CR
Silvery woolly monkey Lagothrix poeppigii VU
Genus: Oreonax
Yellow-tailed woolly monkey Oreonax flavicauda CR
Family: Pitheciidae
Subfamily: Callicebinae
Genus: Callicebus
Subgenus Callicebus
Madidi titi Callicebus aureipalatii LC
Baptista Lake titi Callicebus baptista LC
Barbara Brown's titi Callicebus barbarabrownae CR
Prince Bernhard's titi Callicebus bernhardi LC
Brown titi Callicebus brunneus LC
Chestnut-bellied titi Callicebus caligatus LC
Caquetá titi Callicebus caquetensis
Ashy black titi Callicebus cinerascens LC
Coimbra Filho's titi Callicebus coimbrai EN
Coppery titi Callicebus cupreus LC
White-tailed titi Callicebus discolor LC
White-eared titi Callicebus donacophilus LC
Hershkovitz's titi Callicebus dubius LC
Hoffmanns's titi Callicebus hoffmannsi LC
Coastal black-handed titi Callicebus melanochir VU
Milton's titi Callicebus miltoni NE
Rio Beni titi Callicebus modestus EN
Red-bellied titi Callicebus moloch LC
Black-fronted titi Callicebus nigrifrons NT
Rio Mayo titi Callicebus oenanthe EN
Ollala brothers' titi Callicebus olallae EN
Ornate titi Callicebus ornatus VU
White-coated titi Callicebus pallescens LC
Atlantic titi Callicebus personatus VU
Stephen Nash's titi Callicebus stephennashi DD
Urubamba brown titi Callicebus urubambensis NE
Vieira's titi Callicebus vieirai NE
Subgenus Torquatus
Lucifer titi Callicebus lucifer LC
Black titi Callicebus lugens LC
Colombian black-handed titi Callicebus medemi VU
Rio Purus titi Callicebus purinus LC
Red-headed titi Callicebus regulus LC
Collared titi Callicebus torquatus LC
Subfamily: Pitheciinae
Genus: Pithecia
Equatorial saki Pithecia aequatorialis LC
White-footed saki Pithecia albicans VU
Cazuza's saki Pithecia cazuzai NE
Golden-faced saki Pithecia chrysocephala LC
Hairy saki Pithecia hirsuta NE
Burnished saki Pithecia inusta NE
Rio Tapajós saki Pithecia irrorata NE
Isabel's saki Pithecia isabela NE
Monk saki Pithecia monachus NE
Miller's saki Pithecia milleri DD
Mittermeier's Tapajós saki Pithecia mittermeieri NE
Napo saki Pithecia napensis DD
White-faced saki Pithecia pithecia LC
Pissinatti’s bald-faced saki Pithecia pissinattii NE
Rylands' bald-faced saki Pithecia rylandsi NE
Vanzolini's bald-faced saki Pithecia vanzolinii DD
Genus: Chiropotes
White-nosed saki Chiropotes albinasus EN
Red-backed bearded saki Chiropotes chiropotes LC
Brown-backed bearded saki Chiropotes israelita
Black bearded saki Chiropotes satanas CR
Uta Hick's bearded saki Chiropotes utahicki EN
Genus: Cacajao
Aracá uakari Cacajao ayresii VU
Bald uakari Cacajao calvus VU
Neblina uakari Cacajao hosomi VU
Golden-backed uakari Cacajao melanocephalus LC
Order: Rodentia (rodents)
Rodents make up the largest order of mammals, with over 40 percent of mammalian species. They have two incisors in the upper and lower jaw which grow continually and must be kept short by gnawing. Most rodents are small, although the capybara can weigh up to 45 kg (100 lb). South America's rodent fauna today is largely an outgrowth of two spectacularly fortunate ancient "sweepstakes" dispersal events, each of which was followed by explosive diversification. Caviomorphs, the first rodents to reach the continent, are believed to have washed ashore after rafting across the Atlantic from Africa over 30 million years ago. More recently, ancestral sigmodontine rodents apparently island-hopped from Central America 5 million or more years ago, prior to the formation of the Panamanian land bridge. These two groups now comprise 36 and 60%, respectively, of all South American rodent species. The corresponding figures are 10 and 27% for Central America, 2% and 10% for Mexico, 0.5 and 3% for North America north of Mexico, and 72 and 27% for recent endemic Caribbean rodents. Conversely, sciurids make up 3% of rodents in South America, 8% in Central America, 15% in Mexico and 31% in North America north of Mexico, while castorimorphs are 1%, 16%, 26% and 28%, respectively. Sciurids are absent from South America's southern cone, while castorimorphs are only present in northwest South America (Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador). Illustrating the advantage of gaining a head start in colonizing a new land mass, sigmodontine rodents comprise 99.5% of all cricetid rodents in South America, but only 42% in Central America, 17% in Mexico and 7% in North America north of Mexico.
Suborder: Hystricomorpha
Parvorder Caviomorpha
Family: Erethizontidae (New World porcupines)
Subfamily: Chaetomyinae
Genus: Chaetomys
Bristle-spined rat Chaetomys subspinosus VU
Subfamily: Erethizontinae
Genus: Coendou
Baturite porcupine Coendou baturitensis
Bicolored-spined porcupine Coendou bicolor LC
Streaked dwarf porcupine Coendou ichillus DD
Bahia porcupine Coendou insidiosus LC
Black-tailed hairy dwarf porcupine Coendou melanurus LC
Black dwarf porcupine Coendou nycthemera DD
Brazilian porcupine Coendou prehensilis LC
Frosted hairy dwarf porcupine Coendou pruinosus LC
Andean porcupine Coendou quichua DD
Roosmalen's dwarf porcupine Coendou roosmalenorum DD
Rothschild's porcupine Coendou rothschildi LC
Stump-tailed porcupine Coendou rufescens LC
Santa Marta porcupine Coendou sanctamartae DD
Coendou speratus
Paraguaian hairy dwarf porcupine Coendou spinosus LC
Brown hairy dwarf porcupine Coendou vestitus VU
Family: Chinchillidae (viscachas and chinchillas)
Genus: Chinchilla
Short-tailed chinchilla Chinchilla chinchilla CR
Long-tailed chinchilla Chinchilla lanigera CR
Genus: Lagidium
Lagidium ahuacaense
Northern viscacha Lagidium peruanum LC
Southern viscacha Lagidium viscacia LC
Wolffsohn's viscacha Lagidium wolffsohni DD
Genus: Lagostomus
Plains viscacha Lagostomus maximus LC
Family: Dinomyidae (pacarana)
Genus: Dinomys
Pacarana Dinomys branickii VU
Family: Caviidae (guinea pigs and cavies)
Subfamily: Caviinae
Genus: Cavia
Brazilian guinea pig Cavia aperea LC
Shiny guinea pig Cavia fulgida LC
Santa Catarina's guinea pig Cavia intermedia CR
Greater guinea pig Cavia magna LC
Montane guinea pig Cavia tschudii LC
Genus: Galea
Galea comes
Brazilian yellow-toothed cavy Galea flavidens LC
Galea leucoblephara
Muenster yellow-toothed cavy Galea monasteriensis DD
Common yellow-toothed cavy Galea musteloides LC
Spix's yellow-toothed cavy Galea spixii LC
Genus: Microcavia
Southern mountain cavy Microcavia australis LC
Andean mountain cavy Microcavia niata LC
Shipton's mountain cavy Microcavia shiptoni NT
Subfamily: Dolichotinae
Genus: Dolichotis
Patagonian mara Dolichotis patagonum NT
Chacoan mara Dolichotis salinicola LC
Subfamily: Hydrochoerinae (capybaras and rock cavies)
Genus: Hydrochoerus
Capybara Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris LC
Lesser capybara Hydrochoerus isthmius DD
Genus: Kerodon
Acrobatic cavy Kerodon acrobata DD
Rock cavy Kerodon rupestris LC
Family: Dasyproctidae (agoutis and acouchis)
Genus: Dasyprocta
Azara's agouti Dasyprocta azarae DD
Crested agouti Dasyprocta cristata DD
Black agouti Dasyprocta fuliginosa LC
Orinoco agouti Dasyprocta guamara NT
Kalinowski's agouti Dasyprocta kalinowskii DD
Red-rumped agouti Dasyprocta leporina LC
Black-rumped agouti Dasyprocta prymnolopha LC
Central American agouti Dasyprocta punctata LC
Genus: Myoprocta
Red acouchi Myoprocta acouchy LC
Green acouchi Myoprocta pratti LC
Family: Cuniculidae
Genus: Cuniculus
Cuniculus hernandezi
Lowland paca Cuniculus paca LC
Mountain paca Cuniculus taczanowskii NT
Family: Ctenomyidae (tuco-tucos)
Genus: Ctenomys
Argentine tuco-tuco Ctenomys argentinus NT
Southern tuco-tuco Ctenomys australis EN
Azara's tuco-tuco Ctenomys azarae VU
Berg's tuco-tuco Ctenomys bergi VU
Bolivian tuco-tuco Ctenomys boliviensis LC
Bonetto's tuco-tuco Ctenomys bonettoi EN
Brazilian tuco-tuco Ctenomys brasiliensis DD
Budin's tuco-tuco Ctenomys budini DD
Colburn's tuco-tuco Ctenomys colburni DD
Puntilla tuco-tuco Ctenomys coludo DD
Conover's tuco-tuco Ctenomys conoveri LC
Coyhaique tuco-tuco Ctenomys coyhaiquensis DD
D'Orbigny's tuco-tuco Ctenomys dorbignyi NT
Chacoan tuco-tuco Ctenomys dorsalis DD
Emily's tuco-tuco Ctenomys emilianus NT
Famatina tuco-tuco Ctenomys famosus DD
Flamarion's tuco-tuco Ctenomys flamarioni EN
Foch's tuco-tuco Ctenomys fochi DD
Lago Blanco tuco-tuco Ctenomys fodax DD
Reddish tuco-tuco Ctenomys frater LC
Tawny tuco-tuco Ctenomys fulvus LC
Goodfellow's tuco-tuco Ctenomys goodfellowi LC
Haig's tuco-tuco Ctenomys haigi LC
San Juan tuco-tuco Ctenomys johannis DD
Jujuy tuco-tuco Ctenomys juris DD
Catamarca tuco-tuco Ctenomys knighti DD
Lami tuco-tuco Ctenomys lami VU
Mottled tuco-tuco Ctenomys latro VU
White-toothed tuco-tuco Ctenomys leucodon LC
Lewis's tuco-tuco Ctenomys lewisi LC
Magellanic tuco-tuco Ctenomys magellanicus VU
Maule tuco-tuco Ctenomys maulinus LC
Mendoza tuco-tuco Ctenomys mendocinus LC
Tiny tuco-tuco Ctenomys minutus DD
Furtive tuco-tuco Ctenomys occultus EN
Highland tuco-tuco Ctenomys opimus LC
Reig's tuco-tuco Ctenomys osvaldoreigi CR
Ctenomys paraguayensis
Pearson's tuco-tuco Ctenomys pearsoni NT
Goya tuco-tuco Ctenomys perrensi LC
Peruvian tuco-tuco Ctenomys peruanus LC
Pilar tuco-tuco Ctenomys pilarensis EN
San Luis tuco-tuco Ctenomys pontifex DD
Porteous's tuco-tuco Ctenomys porteousi NT
Pundt's tuco-tuco Ctenomys pundti VU
Rio Negro tuco-tuco Ctenomys rionegrensis EN
Roig's tuco-tuco Ctenomys roigi CR
Salta tuco-tuco Ctenomys saltarius DD
Scaglia's tuco-tuco Ctenomys scagliai DD
Silky tuco-tuco Ctenomys sericeus DD
Social tuco-tuco Ctenomys sociabilis CR
Steinbach's tuco-tuco Ctenomys steinbachi LC
Forest tuco-tuco Ctenomys sylvanus DD
Talas tuco-tuco Ctenomys talarum LC
Collared tuco-tuco Ctenomys torquatus LC
Robust tuco-tuco Ctenomys tuconax DD
Tucuman tuco-tuco Ctenomys tucumanus DD
Sierra Tontal tuco-tuco Ctenomys tulduco DD
Strong tuco-tuco Ctenomys validus DD
Vipos tuco-tuco Ctenomys viperinus DD
Yolanda's tuco-tuco Ctenomys yolandae DD
Family: Octodontidae
Genus: Aconaemys
Chilean rock rat Aconaemys fuscus LC
Porter's rock rat Aconaemys porteri DD
Sage's rock rat Aconaemys sagei DD
Genus: Octodon
Bridges' degu Octodon bridgesi VU
Common degu Octodon degus LC
Moon-toothed degu Octodon lunatus VU
Pacific degu Octodon pacificus CR
Genus: Octodontomys
Mountain degu Octodontomys gliroides LC
Genus: Octomys
Viscacha rat Octomys mimax LC
Genus: Pipanacoctomys
Golden vizcacha rat Pipanacoctomys aureus CR
Genus: Salinoctomys
Chalchalero vizcacha rat Salinoctomys loschalchalerosorum CR
Genus: Spalacopus
Coruro Spalacopus cyanus LC
Genus: Tympanoctomys
Plains viscacha rat Tympanoctomys barrerae NT
Family: Abrocomidae
Genus: Abrocoma
Bennett's chinchilla rat Abrocoma bennettii LC
Bolivian chinchilla rat Abrocoma boliviensis CR
Budin's chinchilla rat Abrocoma budini DD
Ashy chinchilla rat Abrocoma cinerea LC
Famatina chinchilla rat Abrocoma famatina DD
Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat Abrocoma schistacea DD
Uspallata chinchilla rat Abrocoma uspallata DD
Punta de Vacas chinchilla rat Abrocoma vaccarum DD
Family: Echimyidae (spiny rats and allies)
Subfamily: Dactylomyinae
Genus: Kannabateomys
Atlantic bamboo rat Kannabateomys amblyonyx LC
Genus: Dactylomys
Bolivian bamboo rat Dactylomys boliviensis LC
Amazon bamboo rat Dactylomys dactylinus LC
Montane bamboo rat Dactylomys peruanus DD
Genus: Olallamys
White-tailed olalla rat Olallamys albicauda DD
Greedy olalla rat Olallamys edax DD
Subfamily: Echimyinae
Genus: Callistomys
Painted tree-rat Callistomys pictus EN
Genus: Diplomys
Colombian soft-furred spiny rat Diplomys caniceps DD
Rufous soft-furred spiny rat Diplomys labilis LC
Genus: Echimys
White-faced spiny tree-rat Echimys chrysurus LC
Dark spiny tree-rat Echimys saturnus DD
Echimys vieirai DD
Genus: Isothrix
Isothrix barbarabrownae DD
Yellow-crowned brush-tailed rat Isothrix bistriata LC
Rio Negro brush-tailed rat Isothrix negrensis LC
Plain brush-tailed rat Isothrix pagurus LC
Sinnamary brush-tailed rat Isothrix sinnamariensis LC
Genus: Makalata
Makalata castaneus
Brazilian spiny tree-rat Makalata didelphoides LC
Makalata handleyi
Makalata guianae
Makalata longirostris
Long-tailed armored tree-rat Makalata macrura LC
Dusky spiny tree-rat Makalata obscura DD
Peruvian tree-rat Makalata rhipidura DD
Genus: Pattonomys
Bare-tailed armored tree-rat Pattonomys occasius DD
Speckled spiny tree-rat Pattonomys semivillosus LC
Genus: Phyllomys
Golden Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys blainvilii LC
Orange-brown Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys brasiliensis EN
Drab Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys dasythrix LC
Kerr's Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys kerri DD
Pallid Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys lamarum DD
Lund's Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys lundi EN
Mantiqueira Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys mantiqueirensis CR
Long-furred Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys medius LC
Black-spined Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys nigrispinus LC
Rusty-sided Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys pattoni LC
Phyllomys sulinus
Giant Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys thomasi EN
Short-furred Atlantic tree-rat Phyllomys unicolor CR
Genus: Santamartamys
Red-crested tree rat Santamartamys rufodorsalis CR
Genus: Toromys
Giant tree rat Toromys grandis LC
Subfamily: Eumysopinae
Genus: Carterodon
Owl's spiny rat Carterodon sulcidens DD
Genus: Clyomys
Broad-headed spiny rat Clyomys laticeps LC
Genus: Euryzygomatomys
Brandt's guiara Euryzygomatomys guiara
Fischer's guiara Euryzygomatomys spinosus LC
Genus: Hoplomys
Armored rat Hoplomys gymnurus LC
Genus: Lonchothrix
Tuft-tailed spiny tree rat Lonchothrix emiliae LC
Genus: Mesomys
Ferreira's spiny tree-rat Mesomys hispidus LC
Woolly-headed spiny tree-rat Mesomys leniceps DD
Tufted-tailed spiny tree-rat Mesomys occultus LC
Pará spiny tree-rat Mesomys stimulax LC
Genus: Proechimys
Short-tailed spiny rat Proechimys brevicauda LC
Colombian spiny rat Proechimys canicollis LC
Boyacá spiny rat Proechimys chrysaeolus DD
Cuvier's spiny rat Proechimys cuvieri LC
Pacific spiny rat Proechimys decumanus VU
Stiff-spine spiny rat Proechimys echinothrix LC
Gardner's spiny rat Proechimys gardneri DD
Goeldi's spiny rat Proechimys goeldii VU
Guaira spiny rat Proechimys guairae LC
Guyenne spiny rat Proechimys guyannensis LC
Guyanan spiny rat Proechimys hoplomyoides DD
Kulina spiny rat Proechimys kulinae DD
Long-tailed spiny rat Proechimys longicaudatus LC
Magdalena spiny rat Proechimys magdalenae DD
Minca spiny rat Proechimys mincae DD
O'Connell's spiny rat Proechimys oconnelli DD
Patton's spiny rat Proechimys pattoni LC
Gray-footed spiny rat Proechimys poliopus VU
Napo spiny rat Proechimys quadruplicatus LC
Roberto's spiny rat Proechimys roberti VU
Tome's spiny rat Proechimys semispinosus LC
Simon's spiny rat Proechimys simonsi LC
Steere's spiny rat Proechimys steerei LC
Trinidad spiny rat Proechimys trinitatis DD
Sucre spiny rat Proechimys urichi LC
Genus: Thrichomys
Common punaré Thrichomys apereoides LC
Highlands punaré Thrichomys inermis LC
Paraguayan punaré Thrichomys pachyurus LC
Genus: Trinomys
White-spined Atlantic spiny rat Trinomys albispinus LC
Soft-spined Atlantic spiny rat Trinomys dimidiatus LC
Elias' Atlantic spiny rat Trinomys eliasi EN
Gracile Atlantic spiny rat Trinomys gratiosus LC
Ihering's Atlantic spiny rat Trinomys iheringi LC
Dark-caped Atlantic spiny rat Trinomys mirapitanga DD
Moojen's Atlantic spiny rat Trinomys moojeni EN
Mouse-tailed Atlantic spiny rat Trinomys myosuros LC
Spiked Atlantic spiny rat Trinomys paratus DD
Hairy Atlantic spiny rat Trinomys setosus LC
Yonenaga's Atlantic spiny rat Trinomys yonenagae EN
Family: Myocastoridae (coypus)
Genus: Myocastor
Coypu Myocastor coypus LC
Suborder: Sciuromorpha
Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
Subfamily: Sciurillinae
Genus: Sciurillus
Neotropical pygmy squirrel Sciurillus pusillus DD
Subfamily: Sciurinae
Tribe: Sciurini
Genus: Microsciurus
Central American dwarf squirrel Microsciurus alfari LC
Amazon dwarf squirrel Microsciurus flaviventer DD
Western dwarf squirrel Microsciurus mimulus LC
Santander dwarf squirrel Microsciurus santanderensis DD
Genus: Sciurus
Brazilian squirrel Sciurus aestuans LC
South Yungas red squirrel Sciurus argentinius
Fiery squirrel Sciurus flammifer DD
Yellow-throated squirrel Sciurus gilvigularis DD
Red-tailed squirrel Sciurus granatensis LC
Bolivian squirrel Sciurus ignitus DD
Northern Amazon red squirrel Sciurus igniventris LC
Atlantic Forest squirrel Sciurus ingrami
Andean squirrel Sciurus pucheranii DD
Junín red squirrel Sciurus pyrrhinus DD
Sanborn's squirrel Sciurus sanborni DD
Southern Amazon red squirrel Sciurus spadiceus LC
Guayaquil squirrel Sciurus stramineus LC
Suborder: Castorimorpha
Family: Geomyidae
Genus: Orthogeomys
Thaeler's pocket gopher Orthogeomys thaeleri LC
Family: Heteromyidae
Subfamily: Heteromyinae
Genus: Heteromys
Trinidad spiny pocket mouse Heteromys anomalus LC
Southern spiny pocket mouse Heteromys australis LC
Overlook spiny pocket mouse Heteromys catopterius NE
Desmarest's spiny pocket mouse Heteromys desmarestianus LC
Paraguaná spiny pocket mouse Heteromys oasicus EN
Ecuadoran spiny pocket mouse Heteromys teleus VU
Suborder: Myomorpha
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Tylomyinae
Genus: Tylomys
Mira climbing rat Tylomys mirae LC
Subfamily: Neotominae
Genus: Reithrodontomys
Mexican harvest mouse Reithrodontomys mexicanus LC
Subfamily: Sigmodontinae
Genus: Abrawayaomys
Abrawayaomys chebezi
Ruschi's rat Abrawayaomys ruschii LC
Genus: Abrothrix
Andean Altiplano mouse Abrothrix andinus LC
Hershkovitz's grass mouse Abrothrix hershkovitzi LC
Gray grass mouse Abrothrix illuteus NT
Jelski's Altiplano mouse Abrothrix jelskii LC
Woolly grass mouse Abrothrix lanosus LC
Long-haired grass mouse Abrothrix longipilis LC
Olive grass mouse Abrothrix olivaceus LC
Sanborn's grass mouse Abrothrix sanborni NT
Genus: Aepeomys
Olive montane mouse Aepeomys lugens LC
Reig's montane mouse Aepeomys reigi VU
Genus: Aegialomys
Galápagos rice rat Aegialomys galapagoensis VU
Yellowish rice rat Aegialomys xanthaeolus LC
Genus: Akodon
Highland grass mouse Akodon aerosus LC
Colombian grass mouse Akodon affinis LC
White-bellied grass mouse Akodon albiventer LC
Azara's grass mouse Akodon azarae LC
Bogotá grass mouse Akodon bogotensis LC
Bolivian grass mouse Akodon boliviensis LC
Budin's grass mouse Akodon budini LC
Akodon caenosus
Cursor grass mouse Akodon cursor LC
Day's grass mouse Akodon dayi LC
Dolorous grass mouse Akodon dolores LC
Smoky grass mouse Akodon fumeus LC
Akodon glaucinus
Intelligent grass mouse Akodon iniscatus LC
Junín grass mouse Akodon juninensis LC
Koford's grass mouse Akodon kofordi LC
Ecuadorian grass mouse Akodon latebricola VU
Lindbergh's grass mouse Akodon lindberghi DD
Altiplano grass mouse Akodon lutescens LC
Thespian grass mouse Akodon mimus LC
Soft grass mouse Akodon mollis LC
Montane grass mouse Akodon montensis LC
Caparaó grass mouse Akodon mystax DD
Neuquén grass mouse Akodon neocenus DD
El Dorado grass mouse Akodon orophilus LC
Paraná grass mouse Akodon paranaensis LC
Tarija akodont Akodon pervalens DD
Philip Myers' akodont Akodon philipmyersi DD
Akodon polopi
Reig's grass mouse Akodon reigi LC
São Paulo grass mouse Akodon sanctipaulensis DD
Serra do Mar grass mouse Akodon serrensis LC
Cochabamba grass mouse Akodon siberiae NT
White-throated grass mouse Akodon simulator LC
Spegazzini's grass mouse Akodon spegazzinii LC
Puno grass mouse Akodon subfuscus LC
Silent grass mouse Akodon surdus VU
Forest grass mouse Akodon sylvanus LC
Akodon tartareus
Chaco grass mouse Akodon toba LC
Cloud forest grass mouse Akodon torques LC
Variable grass mouse Akodon varius DD
Genus: Amphinectomys
Ucayali water rat Amphinectomys savamis DD
Genus: Andalgalomys
Olrog's chaco mouse Andalgalomys olrogi LC
Pearson's chaco mouse Andalgalomys pearsoni LC
Genus: Andinomys
Andean mouse Andinomys edax LC
Andinomys lineicaudatus
Genus: Anotomys
Aquatic rat Anotomys leander VU
Genus: Auliscomys
Bolivian big-eared mouse Auliscomys boliviensis LC
Painted big-eared mouse Auliscomys pictus LC
Andean big-eared mouse Auliscomys sublimis LC
Genus: Bibimys
Chaco crimson-nosed rat Bibimys chacoensis LC
Large-lipped crimson-nosed rat Bibimys labiosus LC
Torres' crimson-nosed rat Bibimys torresi NT
Genus: Blarinomys
Brazilian shrew-mouse Blarinomys breviceps LC
Genus: Brucepattersonius
Gray-bellied brucie Brucepattersonius griserufescens DD
Guaraní brucie Brucepattersonius guarani DD
Red-bellied brucie Brucepattersonius igniventris DD
Ihering's hocicudo Brucepattersonius iheringi LC
Misiones brucie Brucepattersonius misionensis DD
Arroyo of Paradise brucie Brucepattersonius paradisus DD
Soricine brucie Brucepattersonius soricinus DD
Genus: Calomys
Bolivian vesper mouse Calomys boliviae LC
Crafty vesper mouse Calomys callidus LC
Large vesper mouse Calomys callosus LC
Calomys cerqueirai
Caatinga vesper mouse Calomys expulsus LC
Fecund vesper mouse Calomys fecundus LC
Hummelinck's vesper mouse Calomys hummelincki VU
Small vesper mouse Calomys laucha LC
Andean vesper mouse Calomys lepidus LC
Drylands vesper mouse Calomys musculinus LC
Peruvian vesper mouse Calomys sorellus LC
Delicate vesper mouse Calomys tener LC
Tocantins vesper mouse Calomys tocantinsi LC
Córdoba vesper mouse Calomys venustus LC
Genus: Cerradomys
Langguth's rice rat Cerradomys langguthi
Maracaju rice rat Cerradomys maracajuensis LC
Marinho's rice rat Cerradomys marinhus DD
Lindbergh's rice rat Cerradomys scotti LC
Terraced rice rat Cerradomys subflavus LC
Vivo's rice rat Cerradomys vivoi
Genus: Chelemys
Magellanic long-clawed mouse Chelemys delfini DD
Andean long-clawed mouse Chelemys macronyx LC
Large long-clawed mouse Chelemys megalonyx NT
Genus: Chibchanomys
Las Cajas water mouse Chibchanomys orcesi DD
Chibchan water mouse Chibchanomys trichotis DD
Genus: Chilomys
Colombian forest mouse Chilomys instans LC
Genus: Chinchillula
Altiplano chinchilla mouse Chinchillula sahamae LC
Genus: Delomys
Delomys altimontanus
Montane Atlantic Forest rat Delomys collinus LC
Striped Atlantic Forest rat Delomys dorsalis LC
Pallid Atlantic Forest rat Delomys sublineatus LC
Genus: Deltamys
Kemp's grass mouse Deltamys kempi LC
Genus: Drymoreomys
Drymoreomys albimaculatus
Genus: Eligmodontia
Eligmodontia bolsonensis
Eligmodontia hirtipes
Monte gerbil mouse Eligmodontia moreni LC
Morgan's gerbil mouse Eligmodontia morgani LC
Andean gerbil mouse Eligmodontia puerulus LC
Highland gerbil mouse, eastern Patagonian gerbil mouse Eligmodontia typus LC
Genus: Eremoryzomys
Gray rice rat Eremoryzomys polius DD
Genus: Euneomys
Patagonian chinchilla mouse Euneomys chinchilloides DD
Burrowing chinchilla mouse Euneomys fossor DD
Biting chinchilla mouse Euneomys mordax LC
Peterson's chinchilla mouse Euneomys petersoni LC
Genus: Euryoryzomys
Emmons's rice rat Euryoryzomys emmonsae DD
Monster rice rat Euryoryzomys lamia EN
Tarija rice rat Euryoryzomys legatus LC
MacConnell's rice rat Euryoryzomys macconnelli LC
Elegant rice rat Euryoryzomys nitidus LC
Russet rice rat Euryoryzomys russatus LC
Genus: Galenomys
Garlepp's mouse Galenomys garleppi DD
Genus: Geoxus
Long-clawed mole mouse Geoxus valdivianus LC
Genus: Graomys
Graomys chacoensis (contains the former Graomys centralis)
Pale leaf-eared mouse Graomys domorum LC
Edith's leaf-eared mouse Graomys edithae DD
Gray leaf-eared mouse Graomys griseoflavus LC
Genus: Gyldenstolpia
Fossorial giant rat Gyldenstolpia fronto EN
Gyldenstolpia planaltensis
Genus: Handleyomys
Alfaro's rice rat Handleyomys alfaroi LC
Dusky montane mouse Handleyomys fuscatus LC
Colombian rice rat Handleyomys intectus LC
Genus: Holochilus
Web-footed marsh rat Holochilus brasiliensis LC
Chaco marsh rat Holochilus chacarius LC
Amazonian marsh rat Holochilus sciureus LC
Genus: Hylaeamys
Hylaeamys acritus DD
Large-headed rice rat Hylaeamys laticeps NT
Azara's broad-headed rice rat Hylaeamys megacephalus LC
Sowbug rice rat Hylaeamys oniscus VU
Hylaeamys perenensis LC
Tate's rice rat Hylaeamys tatei DD
Yungas rice rat Hylaeamys yunganus LC
Genus: Ichthyomys
Crab-eating rat Ichthyomys hydrobates NT
Pittier's crab-eating rat Ichthyomys pittieri VU
Stolzmann's crab-eating rat Ichthyomys stolzmanni DD
Tweedy's crab-eating rat Ichthyomys tweedii DD
Genus: Irenomys
Chilean climbing mouse Irenomys tarsalis LC
Genus: Juliomys
†Juliomys anoblepas EX
Juliomys ossitenuis NE
Lesser Wilfred's mouse Juliomys pictipes LC
Juliomys rimofrons VU
Aracuaria Forest tree mouse Juliomys ximenezi NE
Genus: Juscelinomys
Candango mouse †Juscelinomys candango EX
Rio Guaporé mouse Juscelinomys guaporensis DD
Huanchaca mouse Juscelinomys huanchacae DD
Genus: Kunsia
Woolly giant rat Kunsia tomentosus LC
Genus: Lenoxus
Andean rat Lenoxus apicalis LC
Genus: Loxodontomys
Southern big-eared mouse Loxodontomys micropus LC
Pikumche pericote Loxodontomys pikumche LC
Genus: Lundomys
Lund's amphibious rat Lundomys molitor LC
Genus: Megaoryzomys
Galápagos giant rat †Megaoryzomys curioi EX
Genus: Melanomys
Dusky rice rat Melanomys caliginosus LC
Robust dark rice rat Melanomys robustulus LC
Zuniga's dark rice rat Melanomys zunigae CR
Genus: Microakodontomys
Intermediate lesser grass mouse Microakodontomys transitorius VU
Genus: Microryzomys
Highland small rice rat Microryzomys altissimus LC
Forest small rice rat Microryzomys minutus LC
Genus: Mindomys
Hammond's rice rat Mindomys hammondi EN
Genus: Neacomys
Dubost's bristly mouse Neacomys dubosti LC
Guiana bristly mouse Neacomys guianae LC
Jurua bristly mouse Neacomys minutus LC
Musser's bristly mouse Neacomys musseri LC
Paracou bristly mouse Neacomys paracou LC
Common bristly mouse Neacomys spinosus LC
Narrow-footed bristly mouse Neacomys tenuipes LC
Genus: Necromys
Pleasant bolo mouse Necromys amoenus LC
Argentine bolo mouse Necromys benefactus LC
Rufous-bellied bolo mouse Necromys lactens LC
Hairy-tailed bolo mouse Necromys lasiurus LC
Paraguayan bolo mouse Necromys lenguarum LC
Dark bolo mouse Necromys obscurus NT
Spotted bolo mouse Necromys punctulatus DD
Temchuk's bolo mouse Necromys temchuki LC
Northern grass mouse Necromys urichi LC
Genus: Nectomys
Western Amazonian water rat Nectomys apicalis LC
Magdalena water rat Nectomys magdalenae DD
Trinidad water rat Nectomys palmipes LC
Small-footed bristly mouse Nectomys rattus LC
Scaly-footed water rat Nectomys squamipes LC
Genus: Neotomys
Andean swamp rat Neotomys ebriosus LC
Genus: Nephelomys
Tomes's rice rat Nephelomys albigularis LC
Nephelomys auriventer LC
Costa Central rice rat Nephelomys caracolus LC
Nephelomys childi
Keays's rice rat Nephelomys keaysi LC
Light-footed rice rat Nephelomys levipes LC
Nephelomys maculiventer
Mérida rice rat Nephelomys meridensis LC
Nephelomys moerex
Nephelomys nimbosus
Nephelomys pectoralis
Genus: Nesoryzomys
Darwin's rice rat †Nesoryzomys darwini EX
Fernandina rice rat Nesoryzomys fernandinae VU
Indefatigable Galápagos mouse †Nesoryzomys indefessus EX
Fernandina Island Galapagos mouse Nesoryzomys narboroughi VU
Santiago Galapagos mouse Nesoryzomys swarthi VU
Genus: Neusticomys
Ferreira's fish-eating rat Neusticomys ferreirai DD
Montane fish-eating rat Neusticomys monticolus LC
Musso's fish-eating rat Neusticomys mussoi EN
Oyapock's fish-eating rat Neusticomys oyapocki DD
Peruvian fish-eating rat Neusticomys peruviensis LC
Venezuelan fish-eating rat Neusticomys venezuelae VU
Genus: Noronhomys
Vespucci's rodent †Noronhomys vespuccii EX
Genus: Notiomys
Edward's long-clawed mouse Notiomys edwardsii LC
Genus: Oecomys
Guianan arboreal rice rat Oecomys auyantepui LC
Bicolored arboreal rice rat Oecomys bicolor LC
Atlantic Forest arboreal rice rat Oecomys catherinae LC
Cleber's arboreal rice rat Oecomys cleberi DD
Unicolored arboreal rice rat Oecomys concolor LC
Yellow arboreal rice rat Oecomys flavicans LC
Mamore arboreal rice rat Oecomys mamorae LC
Brazilian arboreal rice rat Oecomys paricola DD
Dusky arboreal rice rat Oecomys phaeotis LC
King arboreal rice rat Oecomys rex LC
Robert's arboreal rice rat Oecomys roberti LC
Red arboreal rice rat Oecomys rutilus LC
Venezuelan arboreal rice rat Oecomys speciosus LC
Foothill arboreal rice rat Oecomys superans LC
Oecomys sydandersoni
Trinidad arboreal rice rat Oecomys trinitatis LC
Genus: Oligoryzomys
Andean pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys andinus LC
Sandy pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys arenalis LC
Brenda's colilargo Oligoryzomys brendae DD
Chacoan pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys chacoensis LC
Destructive pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys destructor LC
Yellow pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys flavescens LC
Fornes' colilargo Oligoryzomys fornesi LC
Fulvous pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys fulvescens LC
Grayish pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys griseolus LC
Long-tailed pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys longicaudatus LC
Magellanic pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys magellanicus LC
Small-eared pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys microtis LC
Moojen's pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys moojeni DD
Black-footed pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys nigripes LC
Rock pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys rupestris DD
Straw-colored pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys stramineus LC
Genus: Oreoryzomys
Peruvian rice rat Oreoryzomys balneator DD
Genus: Oryzomys
Coues's rice rat Oryzomys couesi LC
Gorgas's rice rat Oryzomys gorgasi EN
Genus: Oxymycterus
Argentine hocicudo Oxymycterus akodontius DD
Amazonian hocicudo Oxymycterus amazonicus LC
Angular hocicudo Oxymycterus angularis LC
Caparaó hocicudo Oxymycterus caparoae LC
Atlantic Forest hocicudo Oxymycterus dasytrichus LC
Spy hocicudo Oxymycterus delator LC
Small hocicudo Oxymycterus hiska LC
Hispid hocicudo Oxymycterus hispidus LC
Quechuan hocicudo Oxymycterus hucucha EN
Incan hocicudo Oxymycterus inca LC
Cook's hocicudo Oxymycterus josei EN
Long-nosed hocicudo Oxymycterus nasutus LC
Paramo hocicudo Oxymycterus paramensis LC
Quaestor hocicudo Oxymycterus quaestor LC
Robert's hocicudo Oxymycterus roberti LC
Red hocicudo Oxymycterus rufus LC
Oxymycterus wayku
Genus: Paralomys
Gerbil leaf-eared mouse Paralomys gerbillus LC
Genus: Pearsonomys
Pearson's long-clawed mouse Pearsonomys annectens VU
Genus: Phaenomys
Rio de Janeiro arboreal rat Phaenomys ferrugineus VU
Genus: Phyllotis
Phyllotis alisosiensis
Friendly leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis amicus LC
Andean leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis andium LC
Anita's leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis anitae DD
Buenos Aires leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis bonariensis NT
Capricorn leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis caprinus LC
Darwin's leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis darwini LC
Definitive leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis definitus EN
Haggard's leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis haggardi LC
Lima leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis limatus LC
Master leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis magister LC
Osgood's leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis osgoodi DD
Bunchgrass leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis osilae LC
Wolffsohn's leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis wolffsohni LC
Yellow-rumped leaf-eared mouse Phyllotis xanthopygus LC
Genus: Podoxymys
Roraima mouse Podoxymys roraimae VU
Genus: Pseudoryzomys
Brazilian false rice rat Pseudoryzomys simplex LC
Genus: Punomys
Eastern puna mouse Punomys kofordi VU
Puna mouse Punomys lemminus VU
Genus: Reithrodon
Bunny rat Reithrodon auritus LC
Naked-soled conyrat Reithrodon typicus LC
Genus: Rhagomys
Long-tongued arboreal mouse Rhagomys longilingua LC
Brazilian arboreal mouse Rhagomys rufescens NT
Genus: Rhipidomys
Southern climbing mouse Rhipidomys austrinus LC
Cariri climbing mouse Rhipidomys cariri DD
Cauca climbing mouse Rhipidomys caucensis DD
Coues's climbing mouse Rhipidomys couesi LC
Eastern Amazon climbing mouse Rhipidomys emiliae LC
Buff-bellied climbing mouse Rhipidomys fulviventer LC
Gardner's climbing mouse Rhipidomys gardneri LC
Broad-footed climbing mouse Rhipidomys latimanus LC
White-footed climbing mouse Rhipidomys leucodactylus LC
MacConnell's climbing mouse Rhipidomys macconnelli LC
Cerrado climbing mouse Rhipidomys macrurus LC
Atlantic Forest climbing mouse Rhipidomys mastacalis LC
Peruvian climbing mouse Rhipidomys modicus LC
Splendid climbing mouse Rhipidomys nitela LC
Yellow-bellied climbing mouse Rhipidomys ochrogaster DD
Venezuelan climbing mouse Rhipidomys venezuelae LC
Charming climbing mouse Rhipidomys venustus LC
Wetzel's climbing mouse Rhipidomys wetzeli LC
Genus: Salinomys
Delicate salt flat mouse Salinomys delicatus DD
Genus: Scapteromys
Argentine swamp rat Scapteromys aquaticus LC
Plateau swamp rat Scapteromys meridionalis
Waterhouse's swamp rat Scapteromys tumidus LC
Genus: Scolomys
South American spiny mouse Scolomys melanops LC
Ucayali spiny mouse Scolomys ucayalensis LC
Genus: Sigmodon
Alston's cotton rat Sigmodon alstoni LC
Southern cotton rat Sigmodon hirsutus LC
Unexpected cotton rat Sigmodon inopinatus VU
Peruvian cotton rat Sigmodon peruanus LC
Genus: Sigmodontomys
Alfaro's rice water rat Sigmodontomys alfari LC
Harris's rice water rat Sigmodontomys aphrastus DD
Genus: Sooretamys
Paraguayan rice rat Sooretamys angouya LC
Genus: Tapecomys
Tapecomys wolffsohni
Primordial Tapecua Tapecomys primus LC
Genus: Thalpomys
Cerrado mouse Thalpomys cerradensis LC
Hairy-eared cerrado mouse Thalpomys lasiotis LC
Genus: Thaptomys
Blackish grass mouse Thaptomys nigrita LC
Genus: Thomasomys
Anderson's Oldfield mouse Thomasomys andersoni
Apeco Oldfield mouse Thomasomys apeco VU
Golden Oldfield mouse Thomasomys aureus LC
Beady-eyed mouse Thomasomys baeops LC
Silky Oldfield mouse Thomasomys bombycinus DD
White-tipped Oldfield mouse Thomasomys caudivarius LC
Ashy-bellied Oldfield mouse Thomasomys cinereiventer LC
Ash-colored Oldfield mouse Thomasomys cinereus LC
Cinnamon-colored Oldfield mouse Thomasomys cinnameus LC
Daphne's Oldfield mouse Thomasomys daphne LC
Peruvian Oldfield mouse Thomasomys eleusis LC
Wandering Oldfield mouse Thomasomys erro LC
Slender Oldfield mouse Thomasomys gracilis NT
Hudson's Oldfield mouse Thomasomys hudsoni DD
Woodland Oldfield mouse Thomasomys hylophilus EN
Inca Oldfield mouse Thomasomys incanus VU
Strong-tailed Oldfield mouse Thomasomys ischyurus VU
Kalinowski's Oldfield mouse Thomasomys kalinowskii VU
Ladew's Oldfield mouse Thomasomys ladewi LC
Soft-furred Oldfield mouse Thomasomys laniger LC
Large-eared Oldfield mouse Thomasomys macrotis VU
Unicolored Oldfield mouse Thomasomys monochromos EN
Snow-footed Oldfield mouse Thomasomys niveipes LC
Distinguished Oldfield mouse Thomasomys notatus LC
Ashaninka Oldfield mouse Thomasomys onkiro VU
Montane Oldfield mouse Thomasomys oreas LC
Paramo Oldfield mouse Thomasomys paramorum LC
Popayán Oldfield mouse Thomasomys popayanus DD
Cajamarca Oldfield mouse Thomasomys praetor DD
Thomas's Oldfield mouse Thomasomys pyrrhonotus VU
Rhoads's Oldfield mouse Thomasomys rhoadsi LC
Rosalinda's Oldfield mouse Thomasomys rosalinda DD
Forest Oldfield mouse Thomasomys silvestris LC
Taczanowski's Oldfield mouse Thomasomys taczanowskii LC
Ucucha Oldfield mouse Thomasomys ucucha VU
Dressy Oldfield mouse Thomasomys vestitus LC
Pichincha Oldfield mouse Thomasomys vulcani DD
Genus: Transandinomys
Bolivar rice rat Transandinomys bolivaris LC
Talamancan rice rat Transandinomys talamancae LC
Genus: Wiedomys
Cerrado red-nosed mouse Wiedomys cerradensis DD
Red-nosed mouse Wiedomys pyrrhorhinos LC
Genus: Wilfredomys
Greater Wilfred's mouse Wilfredomys oenax EN
Genus: Zygodontomys
Short-tailed cane mouse Zygodontomys brevicauda LC
Brown cane mouse Zygodontomys brunneus LC
Order: Lagomorpha (lagomorphs)
The lagomorphs comprise two families, Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas). Though they can resemble rodents, and were classified as a superfamily in that order until the early 20th century, they have since been considered a separate order. They differ from rodents in a number of physical characteristics, such as having four incisors in the upper jaw rather than two. South America's meager lagomorph diversity (3 species compared to 18 for North America north of Mexico) reflects their recent arrival and failure (so far) to diversify much. Only the tapeti is present south of northern South America; lagomorphs are absent from most of South America's southern cone.
Family: Leporidae (rabbits, hares)
Genus: Sylvilagus
Tapeti Sylvilagus brasiliensis LC
Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus LC
Venezuelan lowland rabbit Sylvilagus varynaensis DD
Order: Eulipotyphla (shrews, hedgehogs, moles, and solenodons)
Eulipotyphlans are insectivorous mammals. Shrews and solenodons closely resemble mice, hedgehogs carry spines, while moles are stout-bodied burrowers. In South America, shrews are only found in the north (Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru), a legacy of their relatively recent immigration to the continent by way of Central America (where shrew species are considerably more diverse). Moles are not found in the Americas south of northern Mexico.
Family: Soricidae (shrews)
Subfamily: Soricinae
Tribe: Blarinini
Genus: Cryptotis
C. nigrescens group
Eastern Cordillera small-footed shrew Cryptotis brachyonyx DD
Colombian small-eared shrew Cryptotis colombiana LC
Darién small-eared shrew Cryptotis mera EN
C. thomasi group
Ecuadoran small-eared shrew Cryptotis equatoris LC
Medellín small-eared shrew Cryptotis medellinia LC
Merida small-eared shrew Cryptotis meridensis LC
Wandering small-eared shrew Cryptotis montivaga LC
Peruvian small-eared shrew Cryptotis peruviensis DD
Scaly-footed small-eared shrew Cryptotis squamipes LC
Tamá small-eared shrew Cryptotis tamensis LC
Thomas' small-eared shrew Cryptotis thomasi LC
Order: Chiroptera (bats)
The bats' most distinguishing feature is that their forelimbs are developed as wings, making them the only mammals in the world naturally capable of flight. Bat species account for about 20% of all mammals.
Family: Noctilionidae (bulldog bats)
Genus: Noctilio
Lesser bulldog bat Noctilio albiventris LC
Greater bulldog bat Noctilio leporinus LC
Family: Vespertilionidae
Subfamily: Myotinae
Genus: Myotis
Southern myotis Myotis aelleni DD
Silver-tipped myotis Myotis albescens LC
Atacama myotis Myotis atacamensis NT
Chilean myotis Myotis chiloensis LC
Myotis dinellii LC
Hairy-legged myotis Myotis keaysi LC
Yellowish myotis Myotis levis LC
Myotis midastactus NE
Curacao myotis Myotis nesopolus LC
Black myotis Myotis nigricans LC
Montane myotis Myotis oxyotus LC
Riparian myotis Myotis riparius LC
Red myotis Myotis ruber NT
Velvety myotis Myotis simus DD
Subfamily: Vespertilioninae
Genus: Eptesicus
Little black serotine Eptesicus andinus LC
Brazilian brown bat Eptesicus brasiliensis LC
Chiriquinan serotine Eptesicus chiriquinus LC
Diminutive serotine Eptesicus diminutus DD
Argentine brown bat Eptesicus furinalis LC
Big brown bat Eptesicus fuscus LC
Harmless serotine Eptesicus innoxius NT
Eptesicus taddeii
Genus: Histiotus
Strange big-eared brown bat Histiotus alienus DD
Humboldt big-eared brown bat Histiotus humboldti DD
Thomas's big-eared brown bat Histiotus laephotis NT
Big-eared brown bat Histiotus macrotus LC
Southern big-eared brown bat Histiotus magellanicus LC
Small big-eared brown bat Histiotus montanus LC
Tropical big-eared brown bat Histiotus velatus DD
Genus: Lasiurus
Lasiurus atratus LC
Desert red bat Lasiurus blossevillii LC
Tacarcuna bat Lasiurus castaneus DD
Hoary bat Lasiurus cinereus LC
Hairy-tailed bat Lasiurus ebenus DD
Southern yellow bat Lasiurus ega LC
Big red bat Lasiurus egregius DD
Pfeiffer's red bat Lasiurus pfeifferi
Saline red bat Lasiurus salinae
Cinnamon red bat Lasiurus varius LC
Genus: Rhogeessa
Husson's yellow bat Rhogeessa hussoni DD
Thomas's yellow bat Rhogeessa io LC
Tiny yellow bat Rhogeessa minutilla VU
Subfamily: Tomopeatinae
Genus: Tomopeas
Blunt-eared bat Tomopeas ravus VU
Family: Molossidae (free-tailed bats)
Genus: Cynomops
Cinnamon dog-faced bat Cynomops abrasus DD
Greenhall's dog-faced bat Cynomops greenhalli LC
Para dog-faced bat Cynomops paranus DD
Southern dog-faced bat Cynomops planirostris LC
Genus: Eumops
Black bonneted bat Eumops auripendulus LC
Dwarf bonneted bat Eumops bonariensis LC
Big bonneted bat Eumops dabbenei LC
Wagner's bonneted bat Eumops glaucinus LC
Sanborn's bonneted bat Eumops hansae LC
Guianan bonneted bat Eumops maurus DD
Patagonian bonneted bat Eumops patagonicus LC
Western mastiff bat Eumops perotis LC
Colombian bonneted bat Eumops trumbulli LC
Wilson's bonneted bat Eumops wilsoni
Genus: Molossops
Equatorial dog-faced bat Molossops aequatorianus VU
Mato Grosso dog-faced bat Molossops mattogrossensis LC
Rufous dog-faced bat Molossops neglectus DD
Dwarf dog-faced bat Molossops temminckii LC
Genus: Molossus
Barnes's mastiff bat Molossus barnesi DD
Coiban mastiff bat Molossus coibensis LC
Bonda mastiff bat Molossus currentium LC
Velvety free-tailed bat Molossus molossus LC
Miller's mastiff bat Molossus pretiosus LC
Black mastiff bat Molossus rufus LC
Sinaloan mastiff bat Molossus sinaloae LC
Molossus trinitatis
Genus: Mormopterus
Kalinowski's mastiff bat Mormopterus kalinowskii LC
Incan little mastiff bat Mormopterus phrudus VU
Genus: Nyctinomops
Peale's free-tailed bat Nyctinomops aurispinosus LC
Broad-eared bat Nyctinomops laticaudatus LC
Big free-tailed bat Nyctinomops macrotis LC
Genus: Promops
Big crested mastiff bat Promops centralis LC
Brown mastiff bat Promops nasutus LC
Genus: Tadarida
Mexican free-tailed bat Tadarida brasiliensis LC
Family: Emballonuridae (ghost bats, sac-winged bats and allies)
Genus: Balantiopteryx
Ecuadorian sac-winged bat Balantiopteryx infusca EN
Gray sac-winged bat Balantiopteryx plicata LC
Genus: Centronycteris
Thomas's shaggy bat Centronycteris centralis LC
Shaggy bat Centronycteris maximiliani LC
Genus: Cormura
Chestnut sac-winged bat Cormura brevirostris LC
Genus: Cyttarops
Short-eared bat Cyttarops alecto LC
Genus: Diclidurus
Northern ghost bat Diclidurus albus LC
Greater ghost bat Diclidurus ingens DD
Isabelle's ghost bat Diclidurus isabellus LC
Lesser ghost bat Diclidurus scutatus LC
Genus: Peropteryx
Greater dog-like bat Peropteryx kappleri LC
White-winged dog-like bat Peropteryx leucoptera LC
Lesser doglike bat Peropteryx macrotis LC
Trinidad dog-like bat Peropteryx trinitatis DD
Pale-winged dog-like bat Peropteryx pallidoptera
Genus: Rhynchonycteris
Proboscis bat Rhynchonycteris naso LC
Genus: Saccopteryx
Antioquian sac-winged bat Saccopteryx antioquensis DD
Greater sac-winged bat Saccopteryx bilineata LC
Frosted sac-winged bat Saccopteryx canescens LC
Amazonian sac-winged bat Saccopteryx gymnura DD
Lesser sac-winged bat Saccopteryx leptura LC
Family: Mormoopidae (mustached bats)
Genus: Mormoops
Ghost-faced bat Mormoops megalophylla LC
Genus: Pteronotus
Davy's naked-backed bat Pteronotus davyi LC
Big naked-backed bat Pteronotus gymnonotus LC
Pteronotus paraguanensis CR
Parnell's mustached bat Pteronotus parnellii LC
Wagner's mustached bat Pteronotus personatus LC
Family: Phyllostomidae (leaf-nosed bats)
Subfamily: Phyllostominae
Genus: Chrotopterus
Big-eared woolly bat Chrotopterus auritus LC
Genus: Glyphonycteris
Behn's bat Glyphonycteris behnii DD
Davies's big-eared bat Glyphonycteris daviesi LC
Tricolored big-eared bat Glyphonycteris sylvestris LC
Genus: Lampronycteris
Yellow-throated big-eared bat Lampronycteris brachyotis LC
Genus: Lonchorhina
Tomes's sword-nosed bat Lonchorhina aurita LC
Fernandez's sword-nosed bat Lonchorhina fernandezi EN
Northern sword-nosed bat Lonchorhina inusitata DD
Marinkelle's sword-nosed bat Lonchorhina marinkellei EN
Orinoco sword-nosed bat Lonchorhina orinocensis VU
Genus: Lophostoma
Lophostoma aequatorialis DD
Pygmy round-eared bat Lophostoma brasiliense LC
Carriker's round-eared bat Lophostoma carrikeri LC
Schultz's round-eared bat Lophostoma schulzi LC
White-throated round-eared bat Lophostoma silvicolum LC
Lophostoma yasuni DD
Genus: Macrophyllum
Long-legged bat Macrophyllum macrophyllum LC
Genus: Micronycteris
Brosset's big-eared bat Micronycteris brosseti DD
Micronycteris giovanniae
Hairy big-eared bat Micronycteris hirsuta LC
Pirlot's big-eared bat Micronycteris homezi
Matses' big-eared bat Micronycteris matses DD
Little big-eared bat Micronycteris megalotis LC
Common big-eared bat Micronycteris microtis LC
White-bellied big-eared bat Micronycteris minuta LC
Sanborn's big-eared bat Micronycteris sanborni DD
Schmidts's big-eared bat Micronycteris schmidtorum LC
Genus: Mimon
Golden bat Mimon bennettii LC
Cozumelan golden bat Mimon cozumelae LC
Striped hairy-nosed bat Mimon crenulatum LC
Koepcke's hairy-nosed bat Mimon koepckeae DD
Genus: Neonycteris
Least big-eared bat Neonycteris pusilla VU
Genus: Phylloderma
Pale-faced bat Phylloderma stenops LC
Genus: Phyllostomus
Pale spear-nosed bat Phyllostomus discolor LC
Lesser spear-nosed bat Phyllostomus elongatus LC
Greater spear-nosed bat Phyllostomus hastatus LC
Guianan spear-nosed bat Phyllostomus latifolius LC
Genus: Tonatia
Greater round-eared bat Tonatia bidens DD
Stripe-headed round-eared bat Tonatia saurophila LC
Genus: Trachops
Fringe-lipped bat Trachops cirrhosus LC
Genus: Trinycteris
Niceforo's big-eared bat Trinycteris nicefori LC
Genus: Vampyrum
Spectral bat Vampyrum spectrum NT
Subfamily: Glossophaginae
Genus: Anoura
Anoura aequatoris
Anoura cadenai
Tailed tailless bat Anoura caudifer LC
Handley's tailless bat Anoura cultrata NT
Tube-lipped nectar bat Anoura fistulata DD
Geoffroy's tailless bat Anoura geoffroyi LC
Broad-toothed tailless bat Anoura latidens LC
Luis Manuel's tailless bat Anoura luismanueli LC
Genus: Choeroniscus
Godman's long-tailed bat Choeroniscus godmani LC
Minor long-nosed long-tongued bat Choeroniscus minor LC
Greater long-tailed bat Choeroniscus periosus VU
Genus: Glossophaga
Commissaris's long-tongued bat Glossophaga commissarisi LC
Miller's long-tongued bat Glossophaga longirostris DD
Pallas's long-tongued bat Glossophaga soricina LC
Genus: Leptonycteris
Southern long-nosed bat Leptonycteris curasoae VU
Genus: Lichonycteris
Dark long-tongued bat Lichonycteris obscura LC
Genus: Lionycteris
Chestnut long-tongued bat Lionycteris spurrelli LC
Genus: Lonchophylla
Bokermann's nectar bat Lonchophylla bokermanni DD
Lonchophylla cadenai
Lonchophylla chocoana DD
Lonchophylla concava NT
Dekeyser's nectar bat Lonchophylla dekeyseri NT
Lonchophylla fornicata
Handley's nectar bat Lonchophylla handleyi LC
Western nectar bat Lonchophylla hesperia VU
Godman's nectar bat Lonchophylla mordax LC
Lonchophylla orcesi DD
Lonchophylla pattoni
Orange nectar bat Lonchophylla robusta LC
Thomas's nectar bat Lonchophylla thomasi LC
Genus: Platalina
Long-snouted bat Platalina genovensium NT
Genus: Scleronycteris
Ega long-tongued bat Scleronycteris ega LC
Subfamily: Carolliinae
Genus: Carollia
Benkeith's short-tailed bat Carollia benkeithi
Silky short-tailed bat Carollia brevicauda LC
Chestnut short-tailed bat Carollia castanea LC
Colombian short-tailed bat Carollia colombiana
Carollia manu LC
Carollia monohernandezi
Seba's short-tailed bat Carollia perspicillata LC
Genus: Rhinophylla
Hairy little fruit bat Rhinophylla alethina NT
Fischer's little fruit bat Rhinophylla fischerae LC
Dwarf little fruit bat Rhinophylla pumilio LC
Subfamily: Stenodermatinae
Genus: Ametrida
Little white-shouldered bat Ametrida centurio LC
Genus: Artibeus
Large fruit-eating bat Artibeus amplus LC
Andersen's fruit-eating bat Artibeus anderseni LC
Gervais's fruit-eating bat Artibeus cinereus LC
Brown fruit-eating bat Artibeus concolor LC
Fringed fruit-eating bat Artibeus fimbriatus LC
Fraternal fruit-eating bat Artibeus fraterculus LC
Silver fruit-eating bat Artibeus glaucus LC
Gnome fruit-eating bat Artibeus gnomus LC
Jamaican fruit bat Artibeus jamaicensis LC
Great fruit-eating bat Artibeus lituratus LC
Dark fruit-eating bat Artibeus obscurus LC
Pygmy fruit-eating bat Artibeus phaeotis LC
Flat-faced fruit-eating bat Artibeus planirostris LC
Rosenberg's fruit-eating bat Artibeus rosenbergi DD
Toltec fruit-eating bat Artibeus toltecus LC
Thomas's fruit-eating bat Artibeus watsoni LC
Genus: Centurio
Wrinkle-faced bat Centurio senex LC
Genus: Chiroderma
Brazilian big-eyed bat Chiroderma doriae LC
Salvin's big-eyed bat Chiroderma salvini LC
Little big-eyed bat Chiroderma trinitatum LC
Hairy big-eyed bat Chiroderma villosum LC
Genus: Enchisthenes
Velvety fruit-eating bat Enchisthenes hartii LC
Genus: Mesophylla
MacConnell's bat Mesophylla macconnelli LC
Genus: Platyrrhinus
Alberico's broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus alberico LC
Platyrrhinus angustirostris
Platyrrhinus aquilus
Eldorado broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus aurarius LC
Short-headed broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus brachycephalus LC
Choco broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus chocoensis EN
Thomas's broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus dorsalis LC
Platyrrhinus fusciventris
Heller's broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus helleri LC
Platyrrhinus incarum
Buffy broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus infuscus LC
Ismael's broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus ismaeli VU
White-lined broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus lineatus LC
Quechua broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus masu LC
Matapalo broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus matapalensis NT
Geoffroy's rayed bat Platyrrhinus nigellus LC
Platyrrhinus nitelinea
Recife broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus recifinus LC
Shadowy broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus umbratus DD
Greater broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus vittatus LC
Genus: Sphaeronycteris
Visored bat Sphaeronycteris toxophyllum DD
Genus: Pygoderma
Ipanema bat Pygoderma bilabiatum LC
Genus: Sturnira
Aratathomas's yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira aratathomasi NT
Bidentate yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira bidens LC
Bogota yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira bogotensis LC
Hairy yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira erythromos LC
Chocó yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira koopmanhilli
Little yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira lilium LC
Highland yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira ludovici LC
Louis's yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira luisi LC
Greater yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira magna LC
Mistratoan yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira mistratensis DD
Talamancan yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira mordax NT
Lesser yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira nana EN
Tschudi's yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira oporaphilum NT
Soriano's yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira sorianoi DD
Tilda's yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira tildae LC
Genus: Uroderma
Tent-making bat Uroderma bilobatum LC
Brown tent-making bat Uroderma magnirostrum LC
Genus: Vampyressa
Bidentate yellow-eared bat Vampyressa bidens LC
Brock's yellow-eared bat Vampyressa brocki LC
Melissa's yellow-eared bat Vampyressa melissa VU
Striped yellow-eared bat Vampyressa nymphaea LC
Southern little yellow-eared bat Vampyressa pusilla DD
Northern little yellow-eared bat Vampyressa thyone LC
Genus: Vampyrodes
Great stripe-faced bat Vampyrodes caraccioli LC
Subfamily: Desmodontinae
Genus: Desmodus
Common vampire bat Desmodus rotundus LC
Genus: Diaemus
White-winged vampire bat Diaemus youngi LC
Genus: Diphylla
Hairy-legged vampire bat Diphylla ecaudata LC
Family: Natalidae (funnel-eared bats)
Genus: Chilonatalus
Cuban funnel-eared bat Chilonatalus micropus NT
Genus: Natalus
Brazilian funnel-eared bat Natalus espiritosantensis NT
Trinidadian funnel-eared bat Natalus tumidirostris LC
Family: Furipteridae (thumbless bats)
Genus: Amorphochilus
Smoky bat Amorphochilus schnablii EN
Genus: Furipterus
Thumbless bat Furipterus horrens LC
Family: Thyropteridae (disc-winged bats)
Genus: Thyroptera
Peter's disk-winged bat Thyroptera discifera LC
de Vivo's disk-winged bat Thyroptera devivoi DD
LaVal's disk-winged bat Thyroptera lavali DD
Spix's disk-winged bat Thyroptera tricolor LC
Order: Carnivora (carnivorans)
There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which feed primarily on meat. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition. South America is notable for its diversity of canids, having more genera than any other continent in spite of their relatively brief history there. South America's felid diversity is also greater than that of North America north of Mexico, while its mustelid diversity is comparable and its mephitid and ursid diversities are lower. Its procyonid diversity is somewhat less than that of Central America, the center of the family's recent evolution. The diversification of canids and felids in South America was partly a consequence of the inability of the continent's native avian and metatherian predators to compete effectively following the Great American Interchange.
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae (cats)
Subfamily: Felinae
Genus: Leopardus
Pantanal cat Leopardus braccatus
Colocolo Leopardus colocolo NT
Geoffroy's cat Leopardus geoffroyi NT
Kodkod Leopardus guigna VU
Andean mountain cat Leopardus jacobita EN
Pampas cat Leopardus pajeros
Ocelot Leopardus pardalis LC
Oncilla Leopardus tigrinus VU
Leopardus guttulus
Margay Leopardus wiedii NT
Genus: Puma
Cougar Puma concolor LC
Jaguarundi Puma yagouaroundi LC
Subfamily: Pantherinae
Genus: Panthera
Jaguar Panthera onca NT
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Canidae (dogs, foxes)
Genus: Dusicyon
Falkland Island wolf †Dusicyon australis EX
Genus: Urocyon
Gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus LC
Genus: Lycalopex
Culpeo Lycalopex culpaeus LC
Darwin's fox Lycalopex fulvipes CR
South American gray fox Lycalopex griseus LC
Pampas fox Lycalopex gymnocercus LC
Sechuran fox Lycalopex sechurae NT
Hoary fox Lycalopex vetulus LC
Genus: Cerdocyon
Crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous LC
Genus: Atelocynus
Short-eared dog Atelocynus microtis NT
Genus: Speothos
Bush dog Speothos venaticus NT
Genus: Chrysocyon
Maned wolf Chrysocyon brachyurus NT
Family: Ursidae (bears)
Genus: Tremarctos
Spectacled bear Tremarctos ornatus VU
Family: Procyonidae (raccoons, coatis and allies)
Genus: Procyon
Crab-eating raccoon Procyon cancrivorus LC
Genus: Nasua
White-nosed coati Nasua narica LC
South American coati Nasua nasua LC
Genus: Nasuella
Eastern mountain coati Nasuella meridensis
Western mountain coati Nasuella olivacea DD
Genus: Potos
Kinkajou Potos flavus LC
Genus: Bassaricyon
Eastern lowland olingo Bassaricyon alleni LC
Western lowland olingo Bassaricyon medius LC
Olinguito Bassaricyon neblina
Family: Mustelidae (weasels, otters)
Genus: Mustela
Amazon weasel Mustela africana LC
Colombian weasel Mustela felipei VU
Long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata LC
Genus: Eira
Tayra Eira barbara LC
Genus: Galictis
Lesser grison Galictis cuja LC
Greater grison Galictis vittata LC
Genus: Lyncodon
Patagonian weasel Lyncodon patagonicus DD
Genus: Lontra
Marine otter Lontra felina EN
Neotropical river otter Lontra longicaudis DD
Southern river otter Lontra provocax EN
Genus: Pteronura
Giant otter Pteronura brasiliensis EN
Family: Mephitidae (skunks)
Genus: Conepatus
Molina's hog-nosed skunk Conepatus chinga LC
Humboldt's hog-nosed skunk Conepatus humboldtii LC
Striped hog-nosed skunk Conepatus semistriatus LC
Clade: Pinnipedia (seals, sea lions and walruses)
Family: Otariidae (eared seals, sea lions)
Genus: Arctocephalus
South American fur seal Arctocephalus australis LC
Galapagos fur seal Arctocephalus galapagoensis EN
Antarctic fur seal Arctocephalus gazella LC
Juan Fernández fur seal Arctocephalus philippii NT
Subantarctic fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis LC
Genus: Otaria
South American sea lion Otaria flavescens LC
Genus: Zalophus
Galápagos sea lion Zalophus wollebaeki EN
Family: Phocidae (earless seals)
Genus: Hydrurga
Leopard seal Hydrurga leptonyx LC
Genus: Leptonychotes
Weddell seal Leptonychotes weddellii LC
Genus: Lobodon
Crabeater seal Lobodon carcinophaga LC
Genus: Mirounga
Southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina LC
Genus: Monachus
Caribbean monk seal †Monachus tropicalis EX
Order: Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates)
The odd-toed ungulates are browsing and grazing mammals. They are usually large to very large, and have relatively simple stomachs and a large middle toe. Following the interchange with North America, South America's odd-toed ungulates included equids of genus Equus as well as tapirs. Equids died out in both North and South America around the time of the first arrival of humans, while tapirs died out in most of North America but survived in Central and South America. South America also once had a great diversity of ungulates of native origin, but these dwindled after the interchange with North America, and disappeared entirely following the arrival of humans. Sequencing of collagen from fossils of one recently extinct species each of notoungulates and litopterns has indicated that these orders comprise a sister group to the perissodactyls. If, as some evidence suggests, perissodactyls originated in India, both ungulate groups may have been of Gondwanan origin, despite being laurasiatheres.
Family: Tapiridae (tapirs)
Genus: Tapirus
Baird's tapir Tapirus bairdii EN
Little black tapir Tapirus kabomani
Mountain tapir Tapirus pinchaque EN
Lowland tapir Tapirus terrestris VU
Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates and cetaceans)
The weight of even-toed ungulates is borne about equally by the third and fourth toes, rather than mostly or entirely by the third as in perissodactyls. There are about 220 noncetacean artiodactyl species, including many that are of great economic importance to humans. South America's considerable cervid diversity belies their relatively recent arrival. The presence of camelids in South America but not North America today is ironic, given that they have a 45-million-year-long history in the latter continent (where they originated), and only a 3 million year history in the former.
Family: Tayassuidae (peccaries)
Genus: Catagonus
Chacoan peccary Catagonus wagneri EN
Genus: Pecari
Collared peccary Pecari tajacu LC
Giant peccary Pecari maximus DD
Genus: Tayassu
White-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari NT
Family: Camelidae (camels, llamas)
Genus: Lama
Guanaco Lama guanicoe LC
Genus: Vicugna
Vicuña Vicugna vicugna LC
Family: Cervidae (deer)
Subfamily: Capreolinae
Genus: Blastocerus
Marsh deer Blastocerus dichotomus VU
Genus: Hippocamelus
Taruca Hippocamelus antisensis VU
South Andean deer Hippocamelus bisulcus EN
Genus: Mazama
Red brocket Mazama americana DD
Small red brocket Mazama bororo VU
Merida brocket Mazama bricenii VU
Dwarf brocket Mazama chunyi VU
Gray brocket Mazama gouazoupira LC
Pygmy brocket Mazama nana DD
Amazonian brown brocket Mazama nemorivaga LC
Little red brocket Mazama rufina VU
Central American red brocket Mazama temama DD
Genus: Odocoileus
White-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus LC
Genus: Ozotoceros
Pampas deer Ozotoceros bezoarticus NT
Genus: Pudú
Northern pudú Pudu mephistophiles VU
Southern pudú Pudu puda VU
Infraorder: Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoises)
The infraorder Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. They are the mammals most fully adapted to aquatic life with a spindle-shaped nearly hairless body, protected by a thick layer of blubber, and forelimbs and tail modified to provide propulsion underwater. Their closest extant relatives are the hippos, which are artiodactyls, from which cetaceans descended; cetaceans are thus also artiodactyls.
Parvorder: Mysticeti
Family: Balaenidae (right whales)
Genus: Eubalaena
Southern right whale Eubalaena australis LC
Family: Balaenopteridae (rorquals)
Subfamily: Balaenopterinae
Genus: Balaenoptera
Common minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata LC
Antarctic minke whale Balaenoptera bonaerensis DD
Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis EN
Bryde's whale Balaenoptera brydei DD
Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus EN
Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus EN
Subfamily: Megapterinae
Genus: Megaptera
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae LC
Family: Neobalaenidae
Genus: Caperea
Pygmy right whale Caperea marginata DD
Parvorder: Odontoceti
Family: Physeteridae (sperm whales)
Genus: Physeter
Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus VU
Family: Kogiidae (pygmy, dwarf sperm whales)
Genus: Kogia
Pygmy sperm whale Kogia breviceps DD
Dwarf sperm whale Kogia sima DD
Family: Ziphidae (beaked whales)
Genus: Ziphius
Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris LC
Genus: Berardius
Arnoux's beaked whale Berardius arnuxii DD
Genus: Tasmacetus
Shepherd's beaked whale Tasmacetus shepherdi DD
Subfamily: Hyperoodontinae
Genus: Hyperoodon
Southern bottlenose whale Hyperoodon planifrons LC
Genus: Mesoplodon
Andrews' beaked whale Mesoplodon bowdoini DD
Blainville's beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris DD
Gervais' beaked whale Mesoplodon europaeus DD
Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale Mesoplodon ginkgodens DD
Gray's beaked whale Mesoplodon grayi DD
Hector's beaked whale Mesoplodon hectori DD
Strap-toothed whale Mesoplodon layardii DD
Pygmy beaked whale Mesoplodon peruvianus DD
Spade-toothed whale Mesoplodon traversii DD
Superfamily: Inioidea (river dolphins)
Family: Iniidae
Genus: Inia
Amazon river dolphin Inia geoffrensis DD
Araguaian river dolphin Inia araguaiaensis
Bolivian river dolphin Inia boliviensis
Family: Pontoporiidae
Genus: Pontoporia
La Plata dolphin Pontoporia blainvillei VU
Superfamily: Delphinoidea
Family: Phocoenidae (porpoises)
Genus: Phocoena
Spectacled porpoise Phocoena dioptrica DD
Burmeister's porpoise Phocoena spinipinnis DD
Family: Delphinidae (marine dolphins)
Genus: Cephalorhynchus
Commerson's dolphin Cephalorhynchus commersonii DD
Chilean dolphin Cephalorhynchus eutropia NT
Genus: Steno
Rough-toothed dolphin Steno bredanensis LC
Genus: Sotalia
Tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis DD
Costero Sotalia guianensis DD
Genus: Tursiops
Common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus LC
Genus: Stenella
Pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata LC
Clymene dolphin Stenella clymene DD
Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba LC
Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis DD
Spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris DD
Genus: Delphinus
Long-beaked common dolphin Delphinus capensis DD
Short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis LC
Genus: Lagenodelphis
Fraser's dolphin Lagenodelphis hosei LC
Genus: Lagenorhynchus
Peale's dolphin Lagenorhynchus australis DD
Hourglass dolphin Lagenorhynchus cruciger LC
Dusky dolphin Lagenorhynchus obscurus DD
Genus: Lissodelphis
Southern right whale dolphin Lissodelphis peronii DD
Genus: Grampus
Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus LC
Genus: Feresa
Pygmy killer whale Feresa attenuata DD
Genus: Orcinus
Orca Orcinus orca DD
Genus: Pseudorca
False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens DD
Genus: Globicephala
Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus DD
Long-finned pilot whale Globicephala melas DD
Genus: Peponocephala
Melon-headed whale Peponocephala electra LC
List of mammals of Greenland
List of mammals of Mexico
List of mammals of Antarctica
