This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Ethiopia. There are 279 mammal species in Ethiopia, of which 5 are critically endangered, 8 are endangered, 27 are vulnerable, and 12 are near-threatened.
The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the IUCN:
Some species were assessed using an earlier set of criteria. Species assessed using this system have the following instead of near threatened and least concern categories:
Often called sengisi, the elephant shrews or jumping shrews are native to southern Africa. Their common English name derives from their elongated flexible snout and their resemblance to the true shrews.
Family: Macroscelididae (elephant-shrews)
Genus: Elephantulus
Rufous elephant shrew Elephantulus rufescens LC
The order Tubulidentata consists of a single species, the aardvark. Tubulidentata are characterised by their teeth which lack a pulp cavity and form thin tubes which are continuously worn down and replaced.
Family: Orycteropodidae
Genus: Orycteropus
Aardvark Orycteropus afer LC
The hyraxes are any of four species of fairly small, thickset, herbivorous mammals in the order Hyracoidea. About the size of a domestic cat they are well-furred, with rounded bodies and a stumpy tail. They are native to Africa and the Middle East.
Family: Procaviidae (hylaxes)
Genus: Heterohyrax
Yellow-spotted rock hyrax Heterohyrax brucei LC
Genus: Procavia
Cape hyrax Procavia capensis LC
The elephants comprise three living species and are the largest living land animals.
Family: Elephantidae (elephants)
Genus: Loxodonta
African bush elephant Loxodonta africana VU
The order Primates contains humans and their closest relatives: lemurs, lorisoids, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes.
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Infraorder: Lemuriformes
Superfamily: Lorisoidea
Family: Galagidae
Genus: Galago
Somali bushbaby Galago gallarum LR/nt
Senegal bushbaby Galago senegalensis LR/lc
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Parvorder: Catarrhini
Superfamily: Cercopithecoidea
Family: Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys)
Genus: Erythrocebus
Patas monkey Erythrocebus patas LR/lc
Genus: Chlorocebus
Grivet Chlorocebus aethiops LR/lc
Vervet monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus LR/lc
Bale Mountains vervet Chlorocebus djamdjamensis VU
Genus: Cercopithecus
Blue monkey Cercopithecus mitis LR/lc
De Brazza's monkey Cercopithecus neglectus LR/lc
Genus: Papio
Olive baboon Papio anubis LR/lc
Yellow baboon Papio cynocephalus LR/lc
Hamadryas baboon Papio hamadryas LR/nt
Genus: Theropithecus
Gelada Theropithecus gelada LR/nt
Subfamily: Colobinae
Genus: Colobus
Mantled guereza Colobus guereza LR/lc
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 keep short by gnawing. Most rodents are small though the capybara can weigh up to 45 kg (100 lb).
Suborder: Hystricognathi
Family: Bathyergidae
Genus: Heterocephalus
Naked mole-rat Heterocephalus glaber LC
Family: Hystricidae (Old World porcupines)
Genus: Hystrix
Crested porcupine Hystrix cristata LC
Family: Thryonomyidae (cane rats)
Genus: Thryonomys
Lesser cane rat Thryonomys gregorianus LC
Suborder: Sciurognathi
Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
Subfamily: Xerinae
Tribe: Xerini
Genus: Xerus
Striped ground squirrel Xerus erythropus LC
Unstriped ground squirrel Xerus rutilus LC
Tribe: Protoxerini
Genus: Heliosciurus
Gambian sun squirrel Heliosciurus gambianus LC
Family: Gliridae (dormice)
Subfamily: Graphiurinae
Genus: Graphiurus
Small-eared dormouse Graphiurus microtis LC
Family: Spalacidae
Subfamily: Tachyoryctinae
Genus: Tachyoryctes
Big-headed mole-rat Tachyoryctes macrocephalus VU
East African mole-rat Tachyoryctes splendens LC
Family: Nesomyidae
Subfamily: Dendromurinae
Genus: Dendromus
Lovat's climbing mouse Dendromus lovati VU
Gray climbing mouse Dendromus melanotis LC
Chestnut climbing mouse Dendromus mystacalis LC
Genus: Megadendromus
Nikolaus's mouse Megadendromus nikolausi DD
Genus: Steatomys
Tiny fat mouse Steatomys parvus LC
Subfamily: Cricetomyinae
Genus: Saccostomus
Mearns's pouched mouse Saccostomus mearnsi LC
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Lophiomyinae
Genus: Lophiomys
Maned rat Lophiomys imhausi LC
Family: Muridae (mice, rats, voles, gerbils, hamsters, etc.)
Subfamily: Deomyinae
Genus: Acomys
Cairo spiny mouse Acomys cahirinus LC
Gray spiny mouse Acomys cineraceus LC
Louise's spiny mouse Acomys louisae LC
Mullah spiny mouse Acomys mullah LC
Wilson's spiny mouse Acomys wilsoni LC
Genus: Lophuromys
Short-tailed brush-furred rat Lophuromys brevicaudus NT
Ethiopian forest brush-furred rat Lophuromys chrysopus NT
Yellow-spotted brush-furred rat Lophuromys flavopunctatus LC
Black-clawed brush-furred rat Lophuromys melanonyx VU
Genus: Uranomys
Rudd's mouse Uranomys ruddi LC
Subfamily: Otomyinae
Genus: Otomys
Typical vlei rat Otomys typus LC
Subfamily: Gerbillinae
Genus: Ammodillus
Ammodile Ammodillus imbellis DD
Genus: Gerbillus
Somalia gerbil Gerbillus dunni DD
Cushioned gerbil Gerbillus pulvinatus LC
Least gerbil Gerbillus ruberrimus LC
Genus: Tatera
Kemp's gerbil Tatera kempi LC
Black-tailed gerbil Tatera nigricauda LC
Phillips's gerbil Tatera phillipsi LC
Fringe-tailed gerbil Tatera robusta LC
Savanna gerbil Tatera valida LC
Genus: Taterillus
Emin's gerbil Taterillus emini LC
Harrington's gerbil Taterillus harringtoni LC
Subfamily: Murinae
Genus: Aethomys
Hinde's rock rat Aethomys hindei LC
Genus: Arvicanthis
Abyssinian grass rat Arvicanthis abyssinicus LC
Blick's grass rat Arvicanthis blicki NT
Nairobi grass rat Arvicanthis nairobae LC
African grass rat Arvicanthis niloticus LC
Neumann's grass rat Arvicanthis neumanni DD
Genus: Dasymys
African marsh rat Dasymys incomtus LC
Genus: Desmomys
Harrington's rat Desmomys harringtoni LC
Yalden's rat Desmomys yaldeni EN
Genus: Grammomys
Macmillan's thicket rat Grammomys macmillani LC
Ethiopian thicket rat Grammomys minnae VU
Genus: Lemniscomys
Buffoon striped grass mouse Lemniscomys macculus LC
Typical striped grass mouse Lemniscomys striatus LC
Heuglin's striped grass mouse Lemniscomys zebra LC
Genus: Mastomys
Awash multimammate mouse Mastomys awashensis VU
Guinea multimammate mouse Mastomys erythroleucus LC
Natal multimammate mouse Mastomys natalensis LC
Genus: Muriculus
Ethiopian striped mouse Muriculus imberbis EN
Genus: Mus
Mahomet mouse Mus mahomet LC
Peters's mouse Mus setulosus LC
Delicate mouse Mus tenellus LC
Genus: Mylomys
Ethiopian mylomys Mylomys rex DD
Genus: Myomyscus
Brockman's rock mouse Myomyscus brockmani LC
Genus: Nilopegamys
Ethiopian amphibious rat Nilopegamys plumbeus CR
Genus: Oenomys
Common rufous-nosed rat Oenomys hypoxanthus LC
Genus: Stenocephalemys
Ethiopian white-footed mouse Stenocephalemys albipes LC
Ethiopian narrow-headed rat Stenocephalemys albocaudata NT
Gray-tailed narrow-headed rat Stenocephalemys griseicauda NT
Rupp's mouse Stenocephalemys ruppi DD
Genus: Thallomys
Acacia rat Thallomys paedulcus LC
Family: Ctenodactylidae
Genus: Pectinator
Speke's pectinator Pectinator spekei DD
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.
Family: Leporidae (rabbits, hares)
Genus: Lepus
Cape hare Lepus capensis LR/lc
Ethiopian hare Lepus fagani DD
Abyssinian hare Lepus habessinicus LR/lc
African savanna hare Lepus microtis LR/lc
Ethiopian highland hare Lepus starcki LR/lc
The order Erinaceomorpha contains a single family, Erinaceidae, which comprise the hedgehogs and gymnures. The hedgehogs are easily recognised by their spines while gymnures look more like large rats.
Family: Erinaceidae (hedgehogs)
Subfamily: Erinaceinae
Genus: Atelerix
Four-toed hedgehog Atelerix albiventris LR/lc
Genus: Hemiechinus
Desert hedgehog Hemiechinus aethiopicus LR/lc
The "shrew-forms" are insectivorous mammals. The shrews and solenodons closely resemble mice while the moles are stout-bodied burrowers.
Family: Soricidae (shrews)
Subfamily: Crocidurinae
Genus: Crocidura
Bailey's shrew Crocidura baileyi NT
Bottego's shrew Crocidura bottegi DD
Bale shrew Crocidura bottegoides EN
African dusky shrew Crocidura caliginea LC
Savanna shrew Crocidura fulvastra LC
Bicolored musk shrew Crocidura fuscomurina LC
Glass's shrew Crocidura glassi VU
Harenna shrew Crocidura harenna CR
Hildegarde's shrew Crocidura hildegardeae LC
Lucina's shrew Crocidura lucina VU
Mauritanian shrew Crocidura lusitania LC
MacMillan's shrew Crocidura macmillani VU
Somali dwarf shrew Crocidura nana DD
African black shrew Crocidura nigrofusca LC
Niobe's shrew Crocidura niobe LC
African giant shrew Crocidura olivieri LC
Small-footed shrew Crocidura parvipes LC
Sahelian tiny shrew Crocidura pasha LC
Guramba shrew Crocidura phaeura VU
Flat-headed shrew Crocidura planiceps DD
Desert musk shrew Crocidura smithii LC
Somali shrew Crocidura somalica LC
Thalia's shrew Crocidura thalia LC
Savanna path shrew Crocidura viaria LC
Voi shrew Crocidura voi LC
Yankari shrew Crocidura yankariensis LC
Zaphir's shrew Crocidura zaphiri DD
Genus: Suncus
Etruscan shrew Suncus etruscus LC
Genus: Sylvisorex
Climbing shrew Sylvisorex megalura LC
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: Pteropodidae (flying foxes, Old World fruit bats)
Subfamily: Pteropodinae
Genus: Eidolon
Straw-coloured fruit bat Eidolon helvum LC
Genus: Epomophorus
Gambian epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus gambianus LC
Ethiopian epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus labiatus LC
East African epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus minimus LC
Genus: Hypsignathus
Hammer-headed bat Hypsignathus monstrosus LC
Genus: Lissonycteris
Petra fruit bat Lissonycteris petraea VU
Genus: Micropteropus
Peters's dwarf epauletted fruit bat Micropteropus pusillus LC
Genus: Rousettus
Egyptian fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus LC
Long-haired rousette Rousettus lanosus LC
Family: Vespertilionidae
Subfamily: Kerivoulinae
Genus: Kerivoula
Ethiopian woolly bat Kerivoula eriophora DD
Lesser woolly bat Kerivoula lanosa LC
Subfamily: Myotinae
Genus: Myotis
Rufous mouse-eared bat Myotis bocagii LC
Morris's bat Myotis morrisi VU
Scott's mouse-eared bat Myotis scotti VU
Cape hairy bat Myotis tricolor LC
Welwitsch's bat Myotis welwitschii LC
Subfamily: Vespertilioninae
Genus: Glauconycteris
Butterfly bat Glauconycteris variegata LC
Genus: Laephotis
De Winton's long-eared bat Laephotis wintoni LC
Genus: Mimetillus
Moloney's mimic bat Mimetillus moloneyi LC
Genus: Neoromicia
Cape serotine Neoromicia capensis LC
Tiny serotine Neoromicia guineensis LC
Banana pipistrelle Neoromicia nanus LC
Somali serotine Neoromicia somalicus LC
White-winged serotine Neoromicia tenuipinnis LC
Zulu serotine Neoromicia zuluensis LC
Genus: Nycticeinops
Schlieffen's bat Nycticeinops schlieffeni LC
Genus: Pipistrellus
Mount Gargues pipistrelle Pipistrellus aero VU
Rüppell's pipistrelle Pipistrellus rueppelli LC
Rusty pipistrelle Pipistrellus rusticus LC
Genus: Plecotus
Ethiopian big-eared bat Plecotus balensis VU
Genus: Scotoecus
Dark-winged lesser house bat Scotoecus hirundo DD
Genus: Scotophilus
African yellow bat Scotophilus dinganii LC
Greenish yellow bat Scotophilus viridis LC
Subfamily: Miniopterinae
Genus: Miniopterus
Greater long-fingered bat Miniopterus inflatus LC
Natal long-fingered bat Miniopterus natalensis NT
Common bent-wing bat Miniopterus schreibersii LC
Family: Rhinopomatidae
Genus: Rhinopoma
Lesser mouse-tailed bat Rhinopoma hardwickei LC
Macinnes's mouse-tailed bat Rhinopoma macinnesi VU
Greater mouse-tailed bat Rhinopoma microphyllum LC
Small mouse-tailed bat Rhinopoma muscatellum LR/lc
Family: Molossidae
Genus: Chaerephon
Ansorge's free-tailed bat Chaerephon ansorgei LC
Gland-tailed free-tailed bat Chaerephon bemmeleni LC
Spotted free-tailed bat Chaerephon bivittata LC
Chapin's free-tailed bat Chaerephon chapini DD
Nigerian free-tailed bat Chaerephon nigeriae LC
Little free-tailed bat Chaerephon pumila LC
Genus: Mops
Angolan free-tailed bat Mops condylurus LC
Midas free-tailed bat Mops midas LC
Dwarf free-tailed bat Mops nanulus LC
Genus: Mormopterus
Natal free-tailed bat Mormopterus acetabulosus VU
Genus: Otomops
Large-eared free-tailed bat Otomops martiensseni NT
Genus: Platymops
Peters's flat-headed bat Platymops setiger DD
Genus: Tadarida
Egyptian free-tailed bat Tadarida aegyptiaca LC
African giant free-tailed bat Tadarida ventralis NT
Family: Emballonuridae
Genus: Coleura
African sheath-tailed bat Coleura afra LC
Genus: Taphozous
Mauritian tomb bat Taphozous mauritianus LC
Egyptian tomb bat Taphozous perforatus LC
Family: Nycteridae
Genus: Nycteris
Andersen's slit-faced bat Nycteris aurita DD
Hairy slit-faced bat Nycteris hispida LC
Large-eared slit-faced bat Nycteris macrotis LC
Parissi's slit-faced bat Nycteris parisii DD
Egyptian slit-faced bat Nycteris thebaica LC
Family: Megadermatidae
Genus: Cardioderma
Heart-nosed bat Cardioderma cor LC
Genus: Lavia
Yellow-winged bat Lavia frons LC
Family: Rhinolophidae
Subfamily: Rhinolophinae
Genus: Rhinolophus
Blasius's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus blasii NT
Geoffroy's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus clivosus LC
Eloquent horseshoe bat Rhinolophus eloquens DD
Rüppell's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus fumigatus LC
Hildebrandt's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hildebrandti LC
Lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros LC
Lander's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus landeri LC
Bushveld horseshoe bat Rhinolophus simulator LC
Subfamily: Hipposiderinae
Genus: Asellia
Patrizi's trident leaf-nosed bat Asellia patrizii VU
Trident leaf-nosed bat Asellia tridens LC
Genus: Hipposideros
Sundevall's roundleaf bat Hipposideros caffer LC
Commerson's roundleaf bat Hipposideros marungensis NT
Ethiopian large-eared roundleaf bat Hipposideros megalotis NT
Noack's roundleaf bat Hipposideros ruber LC
Genus: Triaenops
Persian trident bat Triaenops persicus LC
The order Philodota comprises the eight species of pangolin. Pangolins are anteaters and have the powerful claws, elongated snout and long tongue seen in the other unrelated anteater species.
Family: Manidae
Genus: Manis
Ground pangolin Manis temminckii LR/nt
There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which feed primarily on meat. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae (cats)
Subfamily: Felinae
Genus: Acinonyx
Sudan cheetah Acinonyx jubatus soemmeringii VU
Tanzanian cheetah Acinonyx jubatus raineyi VU
Genus: Caracal
Caracal Caracal caracal LC
Genus: Felis
Abyssinian wildcat Felis silvestris ocreata LC
Genus: Leptailurus
Serval Leptailurus serval LC
Subfamily: Pantherinae
Genus: Panthera
Masai lion Panthera leo nubica VU
Ethiopian lion Panthera leo roosvelti NE
African leopard Panthera pardus pardus NT
Family: Viverridae (civets, mongooses, etc.)
Subfamily: Viverrinae
Genus: Civettictis
African civet Civettictis civetta LR/lc
Genus: Genetta
Abyssinian genet Genetta abyssinica DD
Common genet Genetta genetta LR/lc
Rusty-spotted genet Genetta maculata LR/lc
Family: Herpestidae (mongooses)
Genus: Atilax
Marsh mongoose Atilax paludinosus LR/lc
Genus: Galerella
Slender mongoose Galerella sanguinea LR/lc
Genus: Helogale
Ethiopian dwarf mongoose Helogale hirtula LR/lc
Common dwarf mongoose Helogale parvula LR/lc
Genus: Herpestes
Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon LR/lc
Genus: Mungos
Banded mongoose Mungos mungo LR/lc
Family: Hyaenidae (hyaenas)
Genus: Crocuta
Spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta LR/cd
Genus: Hyaena
Striped hyena Hyaena hyaena LR/nt
Genus: Proteles
Aardwolf Proteles cristatus LR/lc
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Canidae (dogs, foxes)
Genus: Vulpes
Pale fox Vulpes pallida DD
Rueppell's fox Vulpes rueppelli DD
Genus: Canis
Side-striped jackal Canis adustus LC
Somali wolf Canis anthus riparius NE
Black-backed jackal Canis mesomelas LC
Ethiopian wolf Canis simensis EN
Genus: Otocyon
Bat-eared fox Otocyon megalotis LC
Genus: Lycaon
Somali wild dog Lycaon pictus somalicus EN
Family: Mustelidae (mustelids)
Genus: Ictonyx
Striped polecat Ictonyx striatus LR/lc
Genus: Mellivora
Ratel Mellivora capensis LR/lc
Genus: Lutra
Spotted-necked otter Lutra maculicollis LC
Genus: Aonyx
African clawless otter Aonyx capensis LC
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.
Family: Equidae (horses etc.)
Genus: Equus
Somali wild ass Equus africanus somaliensis CR
Grant's zebra Equus quagga boehmi LC
Grevy's zebra Equus grevyi EN
Family: Rhinocerotidae
Genus: Diceros
Eastern black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis michaeli CR
The even-toed ungulates are ungulates whose weight 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 artiodactyl species, including many that are of great economic importance to humans.
Family: Suidae (pigs)
Subfamily: Phacochoerinae
Genus: Phacochoerus
Desert warthog Phacochoerus aethiopicus LR/lc
Common warthog Phacochoerus africanus LR/lc
Subfamily: Suinae
Genus: Hylochoerus
Giant forest hog Hylochoerus meinertzhageni LR/lc
Genus: Potamochoerus
Bushpig Potamochoerus larvatus LR/lc
Family: Hippopotamidae (hippopotamuses)
Genus: Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius VU
Family: Giraffidae (giraffe, okapi)
Genus: Giraffa
Nubian giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis EN
Reticulated giraffe Giraffa reticulata VU
Family: Bovidae (cattle, antelope, sheep, goats)
Subfamily: Alcelaphinae
Genus: Alcelaphus
Hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus LR/cd
Genus: Damaliscus
Topi Damaliscus lunatus LR/cd
Subfamily: Antilopinae
Genus: Ammodorcas
Dibatag Ammodorcas clarkei VU
Genus: Dorcatragus
Beira Dorcatragus megalotis VU
Genus: Gazella
Dorcas gazelle Gazella dorcas VU
Grant's gazelle Gazella granti LR/cd
Red-fronted gazelle Gazella rufifrons VU
Soemmerring's gazelle Gazella soemmerringii VU
Speke's gazelle Gazella spekei VU
Thomson's gazelle Gazella thomsonii LR/cd
Genus: Litocranius
Gerenuk Litocranius walleri LR/cd
Genus: Madoqua
Günther's dik-dik Madoqua guentheri LR/lc
Salt's dik-dik Madoqua saltiana LR/lc
Genus: Oreotragus
Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus LR/cd
Genus: Ourebia
Oribi Ourebia ourebi LR/cd
Subfamily: Bovinae
Genus: Syncerus
African buffalo Syncerus caffer LR/cd
Genus: Tragelaphus
Mountain nyala Tragelaphus buxtoni EN
Bongo Tragelaphus eurycerus LR/nt
Lesser kudu Tragelaphus imberbis LR/cd
Common eland Tragelaphus oryx LR/cd
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus LR/lc
Greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros LR/cd
Subfamily: Caprinae
Genus: Capra
Nubian ibex Capra nubiana EN
Walia ibex Capra walie CR
Subfamily: Cephalophinae
Genus: Cephalophus
Harvey's duiker Cephalophus harveyi LR/cd
Blue duiker Cephalophus monticola LR/lc
Genus: Sylvicapra
Common duiker Sylvicapra grimmia LR/lc
Subfamily: Hippotraginae
Genus: Hippotragus
Roan antelope Hippotragus equinus LR/cd
Genus: Oryx
Gemsbok Oryx gazella LR/cd
Subfamily: Reduncinae
Genus: Kobus
Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus LR/cd
Kob Kobus kob LR/cd
Nile lechwe Kobus megaceros LR/nt
Genus: Redunca
Mountain reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula LC
Bohor reedbuck Redunca redunca LR/cd
