This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Ghana. These are the mammal species in Ghana, of which 0 are critically endangered, 5 are endangered, 11 are vulnerable, and 14 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:
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 stmpy tail. They are native to Africa and the Middle East.
Family: Procaviidae (hyraxes)
Genus: Dendrohyrax
Western tree hyrax Dendrohyrax dorsalis 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
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.
Family: Trichechidae
Genus: Trichechus
African manatee Trichechus senegalensis VU
The order Primates contains humans and their closest relatives: lemurs, lorisoids, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes.
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Infraorder: Lemuriformes
Superfamily: Lorisoidea
Family: Lorisidae
Genus: Perodicticus
Potto Perodicticus potto LR/lc
Family: Galagidae
Genus: Galagoides
Prince Demidoff's bushbaby Galagoides demidovii LR/lc
Genus: Galago
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
Green monkey Chlorocebus sabaeus LC
Tantalus monkey Chlorocebus tantalus LC
Genus: Cercopithecus
Campbell's mona monkey Cercopithecus campbelli LR/lc
Diana monkey Cercopithecus diana EN
Mona monkey Cercopithecus mona LR/lc
Lesser spot-nosed monkey Cercopithecus petaurista LR/lc
Genus: Papio
Olive baboon Papio anubis LR/lc
Genus: Cercocebus
Sooty mangabey Cercocebus atys LR/nt
Subfamily: Colobinae
Genus: Colobus
Ursine colobus Colobus vellerosus VU
Genus: Procolobus
Red colobus Procolobus badius EN
Olive colobus Procolobus verus LR/nt
Superfamily: Hominoidea
Family: Hominidae (humans)
Subfamily: Homininae
Tribe: Panini
Genus: Pan
Common chimpanzee Pan troglodytes EN
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: Fukomys
Ghana mole-rat Fukomys zechi LC
Family: Hystricidae (Old World porcupines)
Genus: Atherurus
African brush-tailed porcupine Atherurus africanus LC
Genus: Hystrix
Crested porcupine Hystrix cristata LC
Family: Thryonomyidae (cane rats)
Genus: Thryonomys
Greater cane rat Thryonomys swinderianus LC
Suborder: Sciurognathi
Family: Anomaluridae
Subfamily: Anomalurinae
Genus: Anomalurus
Beecroft's scaly-tailed squirrel Anomalurus beecrofti LC
Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel Anomalurus derbianus LC
Pel's scaly-tailed squirrel Anomalurus pelii NT
Subfamily: Zenkerellinae
Genus: Idiurus
Long-eared flying mouse Idiurus macrotis LC
Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
Subfamily: Xerinae
Tribe: Xerini
Genus: Xerus
Striped ground squirrel Xerus erythropus LC
Tribe: Protoxerini
Genus: Epixerus
Western palm squirrel Epixerus ebii DD
Genus: Funisciurus
Red-cheeked rope squirrel Funisciurus leucogenys DD
Fire-footed rope squirrel Funisciurus pyrropus LC
Kintampo rope squirrel Funisciurus substriatus DD
Genus: Heliosciurus
Gambian sun squirrel Heliosciurus gambianus LC
Small sun squirrel Heliosciurus punctatus DD
Red-legged sun squirrel Heliosciurus rufobrachium LC
Genus: Paraxerus
Green bush squirrel Paraxerus poensis LC
Genus: Protoxerus
Slender-tailed squirrel Protoxerus aubinnii DD
Forest giant squirrel Protoxerus stangeri LC
Family: Gliridae (dormice)
Subfamily: Graphiurinae
Genus: Graphiurus
Jentink's dormouse Graphiurus crassicaudatus DD
Kellen's dormouse Graphiurus kelleni LC
Lorrain dormouse Graphiurus lorraineus LC
Nagtglas's African dormouse Graphiurus nagtglasii LC
Family: Nesomyidae
Subfamily: Dendromurinae
Genus: Steatomys
Northwestern fat mouse Steatomys caurinus LC
Jackson's fat mouse Steatomys jacksoni VU
Subfamily: Cricetomyinae
Genus: Cricetomys
Emin's pouched rat Cricetomys emini LC
Gambian pouched rat Cricetomys gambianus LC
Family: Muridae (mice, rats, voles, gerbils, hamsters, etc.)
Subfamily: Deomyinae
Genus: Acomys
Johan's spiny mouse Acomys johannis LC
Genus: Lophuromys
Rusty-bellied brush-furred rat Lophuromys sikapusi LC
Genus: Uranomys
Rudd's mouse Uranomys ruddi LC
Subfamily: Gerbillinae
Genus: Gerbilliscus
Guinean gerbil Gerbilliscus guineae LC
Kemp's gerbil Gerbilliscus kempi LC
Genus: Taterillus
Gracile tateril Taterillus gracilis LC
Subfamily: Murinae
Genus: Arvicanthis
African grass rat Arvicanthis niloticus LC
Guinean grass rat Arvicanthis rufinus LC
Genus: Dasymys
West African shaggy rat Dasymys rufulus LC
Genus: Dephomys
Defua rat Dephomys defua LC
Genus: Grammomys
Eastern rainforest grammomys Grammomys kuru LC
Genus: Hybomys
Temminck's striped mouse Hybomys trivirgatus LC
Genus: Hylomyscus
Allen's wood mouse Hylomyscus alleni LC
Baer's wood mouse Hylomyscus baeri EN
Genus: Lemniscomys
Bellier's striped grass mouse Lemniscomys bellieri LC
Typical striped grass mouse Lemniscomys striatus LC
Heuglin's striped grass mouse Lemniscomys zebra LC
Genus: Malacomys
Cansdale's swamp rat Malacomys cansdalei LC
Edward's swamp rat Malacomys edwardsi LC
Genus: Mastomys
Guinea multimammate mouse Mastomys erythroleucus LC
Natal multimammate mouse Mastomys natalensis LC
Genus: Mus
Hausa mouse Mus haussa LC
Matthey's mouse Mus mattheyi LC
Peters's mouse Mus setulosus LC
Genus: Mylomys
African groove-toothed rat Mylomys dybowskii LC
Genus: Oenomys
Ghana rufous-nosed rat Oenomys ornatus DD
Genus: Praomys
Dalton's mouse Praomys daltoni LC
Deroo's mouse Praomys derooi LC
Forest soft-furred mouse Praomys rostratus LC
Tullberg's soft-furred mouse Praomys tullbergi LC
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
African savanna hare Lepus microtis 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
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
Buettikofer's shrew Crocidura buettikoferi LC
Crosse's shrew Crocidura crossei LC
Fox's shrew Crocidura foxi LC
Bicolored musk shrew Crocidura fuscomurina LC
Large-headed shrew Crocidura grandiceps NT
Lamotte's shrew Crocidura lamottei LC
West African long-tailed shrew Crocidura muricauda LC
West African pygmy shrew Crocidura obscurior LC
African giant shrew Crocidura olivieri LC
Fraser's musk shrew Crocidura poensis LC
Therese's shrew Crocidura theresae LC
Savanna path shrew Crocidura viaria LC
Genus: Sylvisorex
Climbing shrew Suncus 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)
Genus: Lissonycteris
Angolan rousette Lissonycteris angolensis LC
Subfamily: Pteropodinae
Genus: Eidolon
Straw-coloured fruit bat Eidolon helvum LC
Genus: Epomophorus
Gambian epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus gambianus LC
Genus: Epomops
Buettikofer's epauletted fruit bat Epomops buettikoferi LC
Franquet's epauletted fruit bat Epomops franqueti LC
Genus: Hypsignathus
Hammer-headed bat Hypsignathus monstrosus LC
Genus: Micropteropus
Peters's dwarf epauletted fruit bat Micropteropus pusillus LC
Genus: Myonycteris
Little collared fruit bat Myonycteris torquata LC
Genus: Nanonycteris
Veldkamp's dwarf epauletted fruit bat Nanonycteris veldkampi LC
Genus: Rousettus
Egyptian fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus LC
Genus: Scotonycteris
Pohle's fruit bat Scotonycteris ophiodon EN
Zenker's fruit bat Scotonycteris zenkeri NT
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Genus: Megaloglossus
Woermann's bat Megaloglossus woermanni LC
Family: Vespertilionidae
Subfamily: Kerivoulinae
Genus: Kerivoula
Lesser woolly bat Kerivoula lanosa LC
Spurrell's woolly bat Kerivoula phalaena NT
Subfamily: Myotinae
Genus: Myotis
Rufous mouse-eared bat Myotis bocagii LC
Subfamily: Vespertilioninae
Genus: Glauconycteris
Beatrix's bat Glauconycteris beatrix NT
Abo bat Glauconycteris poensis LC
Pied bat Glauconycteris superba VU
Butterfly bat Glauconycteris variegata LC
Genus: Hypsugo
Mouselike pipistrelle Hypsugo musciculus DD
Genus: Mimetillus
Moloney's mimic bat Mimetillus moloneyi LC
Genus: Nycticeinops
Schlieffen's bat Nycticeinops schlieffeni LC
Genus: Pipistrellus
Dark-brown serotine Pipistrellus brunneus NT
Cape serotine Pipistrellus capensis LC
Tiny serotine Pipistrellus guineensis LC
Aellen's pipistrelle Pipistrellus inexspectatus DD
Tiny pipistrelle Pipistrellus nanulus LC
Banana pipistrelle Pipistrellus nanus LC
Rendall's serotine Pipistrellus rendalli LC
Rüppell's pipistrelle Pipistrellus rueppellii LC
Rusty pipistrelle Pipistrellus rusticus LC
Somali serotine Pipistrellus somalicus LC
White-winged serotine Pipistrellus tenuipinnis LC
Genus: Scotoecus
Light-winged lesser house bat Scotoecus albofuscus DD
Dark-winged lesser house bat Scotoecus hirundo DD
Genus: Scotophilus
African yellow bat Scotophilus dinganii LC
White-bellied yellow bat Scotophilus leucogaster LC
Schreber's yellow bat Scotophilus nigrita NT
Robbins's yellow bat Scotophilus nucella VU
Nut-colored yellow bat Scotophilus nux LC
Greenish yellow bat Scotophilus viridis LC
Family: Molossidae
Genus: Tadarida
Duke of Abruzzi's free-tailed bat Tadarida aloysiisabaudiae NT
Sierra Leone free-tailed bat Tadarida brachypterus LC
Chapin's free-tailed bat Tadarida chapini DD
Angolan free-tailed bat Tadarida condylurus LC
Mongalla free-tailed bat Tadarida demonstrator NT
Lappet-eared free-tailed bat Tadarida major LC
Midas free-tailed bat Tadarida midas LC
Dwarf free-tailed bat Tadarida nanulus LC
Nigerian free-tailed bat Tadarida nigeriae LC
Peterson's free-tailed bat Tadarida petersoni VU
Little free-tailed bat Tadarida pumila LC
Russet free-tailed bat Tadarida russata NT
Spurrell's free-tailed bat Tadarida spurrelli LC
Railer bat Tadarida thersites LC
Trevor's free-tailed bat Tadarida trevori VU
Genus: Myopterus
Bini free-tailed bat Myopterus whitleyi LC
Genus: Otomops
Large-eared free-tailed bat Otomops martiensseni NT
Family: Emballonuridae
Genus: Coleura
African sheath-tailed bat Coleura afra LC
Genus: Saccolaimus
Pel's pouched bat Saccolaimus peli NT
Genus: Taphozous
Mauritian tomb bat Taphozous mauritianus LC
Naked-rumped tomb bat Taphozous nudiventris LC
Egyptian tomb bat Taphozous perforatus LC
Family: Nycteridae
Genus: Nycteris
Bate's slit-faced bat Nycteris arge LC
Gambian slit-faced bat Nycteris gambiensis LC
Large slit-faced bat Nycteris grandis LC
Hairy slit-faced bat Nycteris hispida LC
Intermediate slit-faced bat Nycteris intermedia NT
Large-eared slit-faced bat Nycteris macrotis LC
Dwarf slit-faced bat Nycteris nana LC
Egyptian slit-faced bat Nycteris thebaica LC
Family: Megadermatidae
Genus: Lavia
Yellow-winged bat Lavia frons LC
Family: Rhinolophidae
Subfamily: Rhinolophinae
Genus: Rhinolophus
Halcyon horseshoe bat Rhinolophus alcyone LC
Dent's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus denti DD
Rüppell's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus fumigatus LC
Lander's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus landeri LC
Subfamily: Hipposiderinae
Genus: Hipposideros
Aba roundleaf bat Hipposideros abae NT
Benito roundleaf bat Hipposideros beatus LC
Sundevall's roundleaf bat Hipposideros caffer LC
Cyclops roundleaf bat Hipposideros cyclops LC
Sooty roundleaf bat Hipposideros fuliginosus NT
Giant roundleaf bat Hipposideros gigas LC
Jones's roundleaf bat Hipposideros jonesi NT
Noack's roundleaf bat Hipposideros ruber LC
Family: Rhinopomatidae
Genus: Rhinopoma
Greater mouse-tailed bat Rhinopoma microphyllum 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
Giant pangolin Manis gigantea LR/lc
Long-tailed pangolin Manis tetradactyla LR/lc
Tree pangolin Manis tricuspis LR/lc
The order 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.
Suborder: Mysticeti
Family: Balaenopteridae
Subfamily: Balaenopterinae
Genus: Balaenoptera
Common minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata VU
Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis EN
Bryde's whale Balaenoptera brydei EN
Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus EN
Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus EN
Subfamily: Megapterinae
Genus: Megaptera
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae VU
Suborder: Odontoceti
Superfamily: Platanistoidea
Family: Phocoenidae
Genus: Phocoena
Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena VU
Family: Physeteridae
Genus: Physeter
Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus VU
Family: Kogiidae
Genus: Kogia
Pygmy sperm whale Kogia breviceps DD
Dwarf sperm whale Kogia sima DD
Family: Ziphidae
Genus: Mesoplodon
Blainville's beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris DD
Gervais' beaked whale Mesoplodon europaeus DD
Genus: Ziphius
Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris DD
Family: Delphinidae (marine dolphins)
Genus: Orca
Killer whale Orcinus orca DD
Genus: Feresa
Pygmy killer whale Feresa attenuata DD
Genus: Pseudorca
False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens DD
Genus: Delphinus
Short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis LR/cd
Long-beaked common dolphin Delphinus capensis DD
Genus: Sousa
Atlantic humpback dolphin Sousa teuszii DD
Genus: Lagenodelphis
Fraser's dolphin Lagenodelphis hosei DD
Genus: Stenella
Pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata LR/cd
Clymene dolphin Stenella clymene DD
Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba DD
Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis DD
Spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris LR/cd
Genus: Steno
Rough-toothed dolphin Steno bredanensis DD
Genus: Tursiops
Common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus LC
Genus: Globicephala
Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus DD
Genus: Grampus
Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus DD
Genus: Peponocephala
Melon-headed whale Peponocephala electra DD
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: Caracal
African golden cat Caracal aurata NT
Caracal Caracal caracal LC
Genus: Felis
Wildcat Felis silvestris LC
Genus: Acinonyx
Northwest African cheetah Acinonyx jubatus hecki CR
Genus: Leptailurus
Serval Leptailurus serval LC
Subfamily: Pantherinae
Genus: Panthera
West African lion Panthera leo senegalensis CR
African leopard Panthera pardus pardus NT
Family: Viverridae (civets, mongooses, etc.)
Subfamily: Viverrinae
Genus: Civettictis
African civet Civettictis civetta LC
Genus: Genetta
Common genet Genetta genetta LR/lc
Johnston's genet Genetta johnstoni DD
Rusty-spotted genet Genetta maculata LR/lc
Pardine genet Genetta pardina LC
King genet Genetta poensis DD
Haussa genet Genetta thierryi LR/lc
Family: Nandiniidae
Genus: Nandinia
African palm civet Nandinia binotata LR/lc
Family: Herpestidae (mongooses)
Genus: Atilax
Marsh mongoose Atilax paludinosus
Genus: Crossarchus
Common kusimanse Crossarchus obscurus LR/lc
Genus: Galerella
Slender mongoose Galerella sanguinea LR/lc
Genus: Herpestes
Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon LR/lc
Genus: Ichneumia
White-tailed mongoose Ichneumia albicauda LR/lc
Genus: Mungos
Gambian mongoose Mungos gambianus DD
Family: Hyaenidae (hyaenas)
Genus: Crocuta
Spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta LR/cd
Genus: Hyaena
Striped hyena Hyaena hyaena LR/nt
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Canidae (dogs, foxes)
Genus: Canis
Side-striped jackal Canis adustus LC
Genus: Lycaon
West African wild dog Lycaon pictus manguensis CR
Family: Mustelidae (mustelids)
Genus: Ictonyx
Striped polecat Ictonyx striatus LR/lc
Genus: Mellivora
Ratel Mellivora capensis LR/lc
Genus: Lutra
Speckle-throated otter Lutra maculicollis LC
Genus: Aonyx
African clawless otter Aonyx capensis LC
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
Common warthog Phacochoerus africanus LR/lc
Subfamily: Suinae
Genus: Hylochoerus
Giant forest hog Hylochoerus meinertzhageni LR/lc
Genus: Potamochoerus
Red river hog Potamochoerus porcus LR/lc
Family: Hippopotamidae (hippopotamuses)
Genus: Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius VU
Family: Tragulidae
Genus: Hyemoschus
Water chevrotain Hyemoschus aquaticus DD
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: Gazella
Red-fronted gazelle Eudorcas rufifrons VU
Genus: Neotragus
Royal antelope Neotragus pygmaeus LR/nt
Genus: Ourebia
Oribi Ourebia ourebi LR/cd
Subfamily: Bovinae
Genus: Syncerus
African buffalo Syncerus caffer LR/cd
Genus: Tragelaphus
Giant eland Tragelaphus derbianus LR/nt
Bongo Tragelaphus eurycerus LR/nt
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus LR/lc
Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii LR/nt
Subfamily: Cephalophinae
Genus: Cephalophus
Bay duiker Cephalophus dorsalis LR/nt
Maxwell's duiker Philantomba maxwellii LR/nt
Black duiker Cephalophus niger LR/nt
Ogilby's duiker Cephalophus ogilbyi LR/nt
Red-flanked duiker Cephalophus rufilatus LR/cd
Yellow-backed duiker Cephalophus silvicultor LR/nt
Genus: Sylvicapra
Common duiker Sylvicapra grimmia LR/lc
Subfamily: Hippotraginae
Genus: Hippotragus
Roan antelope Hippotragus equinus LR/cd
Subfamily: Reduncinae
Genus: Kobus
Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus LR/cd
Kob Kobus kob LR/cd
Genus: Redunca
Bohor reedbuck Redunca redunca LR/cd
