This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Japan. There are 153 mammal species in Japan, of which 3 are critically endangered, 22 are endangered, 13 are vulnerable, and 2 are near-threatened. One of the species listed for Japan is considered to be extinct (See "The Wild Mammals of Japan" (2009, Ohdachi, S. D. et al. eds. Shoukadoh, Kyoto. ISBN 4-87974-626-6) for recent information. ).
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:
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: Dugongidae
Genus: Dugong
Dugong Dugong dugon VU
Subfamily: Hydrodamalinae
Genus: Hydrodamalis
Steller's sea cow Hydrodamalis gigas EX
The order Primates contains humans and their closest relatives: lemurs, lorisoids, monkeys, and apes.
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Parvorder: Catarrhini
Superfamily: Cercopithecoidea
Family: Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys)
Genus: Macaca
Japanese macaque Macaca fuscata DD
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: Sciurognathi
Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
Subfamily: Sciurinae
Tribe: Sciurini
Genus: Sciurus
Japanese squirrel Sciurus lis LR/lc
Red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris NT
Tribe: Pteromyini
Genus: Petaurista
Japanese giant flying squirrel Petaurista leucogenys LR/lc
Genus: Pteromys
Japanese dwarf flying squirrel Pteromys momonga LR/lc
Siberian flying squirrel Pteromys volans LR/nt
Subfamily: Xerinae
Tribe: Marmotini
Genus: Tamias
Siberian chipmunk Tamias sibiricus LR/lc
Family: Gliridae (dormice)
Subfamily: Glirinae
Genus: Glirulus
Japanese dormouse Glirulus japonicus EN
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Arvicolinae
Genus: Clethrionomys
Hokkaido red-backed vole Clethrionomys rex LR/nt
Grey red-backed vole Clethrionomys rufocanus LR/lc
Northern red-backed vole Clethrionomys rutilus LR/lc
Shikotan vole Clethrionomys sikotanensis LR/nt
Genus: Microtus
Japanese grass vole Microtus montebelli LR/lc
Genus: Myodes
Japanese red-backed vole Myodes andersoni VU
Smith's vole Myodes smithii LR/lc
Family: Muridae (mice, rats, gerbils, etc.)
Subfamily: Murinae
Genus: Apodemus
Small Japanese field mouse Apodemus argenteus LR/lc
Korean field mouse Apodemus peninsulae LR/lc
Large Japanese field mouse Apodemus speciosus LR/lc
Genus: Diplothrix
Ryukyu long-tailed giant rat Diplothrix legata EN
Genus: Micromys
Harvest mouse Micromys minutus LR/nt
Genus: Mus
Ryukyu mouse Mus caroli LR/lc
Genus: Rattus
Tanezumi rat Rattus tanezumi LR/lc
Genus: Tokudaia
Muennink's spiny rat Tokudaia muenninki CR
Ryukyu spiny rat Tokudaia osimensis EN
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: Ochotonidae (pikas)
Genus: Ochotona
Northern pika Ochotona hyperborea LR/lc
Family: Leporidae (rabbits, hares)
Genus: Pentalagus
Amami rabbit Pentalagus furnessi EN
Genus: Lepus
Japanese hare Lepus brachyurus LR/lc
Mountain hare Lepus timidus LR/lc
The "shrew-forms" are insectivorous mammals. Shrews and solenodons closely resemble mice, while moles are stout-bodied burrowers.
Family: Soricidae (shrews)
Subfamily: Crocidurinae
Genus: Crocidura
Dsinezumi shrew Crocidura dsinezumi LR/lc
Horsfield's shrew Crocidura horsfieldii LR/lc
Ryukyu shrew Crocidura orii EN
Lesser white-toothed shrew Crocidura suaveolens LR/lc
Genus: Suncus
Asian house shrew Suncus murinus LR/lc
Subfamily: Soricinae
Tribe: Nectogalini
Genus: Chimarrogale
Himalayan water shrew Chimarrogale himalayica LR/lc
Flat-headed water shrew Chimarrogale platycephala LR/lc
Tribe: Soricini
Genus: Sorex
Slender shrew Sorex gracillimus LR/lc
Azumi shrew Sorex hosonoi VU
Eurasian least shrew Sorex minutissimus LR/lc
Sado shrew Sorex sadonis EN
Shinto shrew Sorex shinto LR/lc
Long-clawed shrew Sorex unguiculatus LR/lc
Family: Talpidae (moles)
Subfamily: Talpinae
Genus: Nesoscaptor
Ryukyu mole Nesoscaptor uchidai EN
Tribe: Talpini
Genus: Euroscaptor
Japanese mountain mole Euroscaptor mizura VU
Genus: Mogera
Echigo mole Mogera etigo EN
Kobe mole Mogera kobeae LR/lc
Small Japanese mole Mogera minor LR/lc
Tokuda's mole Mogera tokudae EN
Japanese mole Mogera wogura LR/lc
Tribe: Urotrichini
Genus: Urotrichus
True's shrew mole Urotrichus pilirostris LR/lc
Japanese shrew mole Urotrichus talpoides LR/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: Pteropus
Ryukyu flying fox Pteropus dasymallus EN
Okinawa flying fox Pteropus loochoensis DD
Mariana fruit bat Pteropus mariannus EN
Bonin flying fox Pteropus pselaphon CR
Family: Vespertilionidae
Subfamily: Myotinae
Genus: Myotis
Far Eastern myotis Myotis bombinus LR/nt
Daubenton's bat Myotis daubentonii LR/lc
Hodgson's bat Myotis formosus LR/lc
Fraternal myotis Myotis frater LR/nt
Hosono's myotis Myotis hosonoi VU
Ikonnikov's bat Myotis ikonnikovi LR/lc
Big-footed myotis Myotis macrodactylus LR/lc
Whiskered bat Myotis mystacinus LR/lc
Natterer's bat Myotis nattereri LR/lc
Honshu myotis Myotis ozensis EN
Frosted myotis Myotis pruinosus EN
Yanbaru whiskered bat Myotis yanbarensis DD
Yoshiyuki's myotis Myotis yesoensis VU
Subfamily: Vespertilioninae
Genus: Eptesicus
Northern bat Eptesicus nilssoni LR/lc
Genus: Hypsugo
Savi's pipistrelle Hypsugo savii LR/lc
Genus: Nyctalus
Birdlike noctule Nyctalus aviator LR/nt
Common noctule Nyctalus noctula LR/lc
Genus: Pipistrellus
Endo's pipistrelle Pipistrellus endoi EN
Sturdee's pipistrelle Pipistrellus sturdeei DD
Genus: Plecotus
Brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus LR/lc
Genus: Vespertilio
Asian parti-colored bat Vespertilio superans LR/lc
Subfamily: Murininae
Genus: Murina
Greater tube-nosed bat Murina leucogaster LR/lc
Ryukyu tube-nosed bat Murina ryukyuana DD
Forest tube-nosed bat Murina silvatica LR/nt
Gloomy tube-nosed bat Murina tenebrosa CR
Subfamily: Miniopterinae
Genus: Miniopterus
Southeast Asian long-fingered bat Miniopterus fuscus VU
Schreibers' long-fingered bat Miniopterus schreibersii LC
Family: Molossidae
Genus: Tadarida
La Touche's free-tailed bat Tadarida latouchei DD
European free-tailed bat Tadarida teniotis LR/lc
Family: Rhinolophidae
Subfamily: Rhinolophinae
Genus: Rhinolophus
Little Japanese horseshoe bat Rhinolophus cornutus LR/nt
Greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum LR/nt
Imaizumi's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus imaizumii EN
Subfamily: Hipposiderinae
Genus: Hipposideros
Lesser great leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros turpis EN
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: Balaenidae
Genus: Balaena
Bowhead whale Balaena mysticetus LR/cd
Genus: Eubalaena
North Pacific right whale Eubalaena japonica EN
Family: Balaenopteridae
Subfamily: Balaenopterinae
Genus: Balaenoptera
Common minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata LR/nt
Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis EN
Bryde's whale Balaenoptera edeni DD
Omura's whale Balaenoptera omurai DD
Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus EN
Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus EN
Subfamily: Megapterinae
Genus: Megaptera
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae VU
Family: Eschrichtiidae
Genus: Eschrichtius
Gray whale Eschrichtius robustus LR/cd
Suborder: Odontoceti
Superfamily: Platanistoidea
Family: Monodontidae
Genus: Delphinapterus
Beluga Delphinapterus leucas VU
Family: Phocoenidae
Genus: Neophocaena
Finless porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides DD
Genus: Phocoena
Harbour porpoise Phocoena phocoena VU
Genus: Phocoenoides
Dall's porpoise Phocoenoides dalli LR/cd
Family: Physeteridae
Genus: Physeter
Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus VU
Family: Kogiidae
Genus: Kogia
Pygmy sperm whale Kogia breviceps LR/lc
Dwarf sperm whale Kogia sima LR/lc
Family: Ziphidae
Genus: Ziphius
Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris DD
Genus: Berardius
Baird's beaked whale Berardius bairdii LR/cd
Subfamily: Hyperoodontinae
Genus: Indopacetus
Tropical bottlenose whale Indopacetus pacificus DD
Genus: Mesoplodon
Hubbs' beaked whale Mesoplodon carlhubbsi DD
Blainville's beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris DD
Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale Mesoplodon ginkgodens DD
Stejneger's beaked whale Mesoplodon stejnegeri DD
Family: Delphinidae (marine dolphins)
Genus: Steno
Rough-toothed dolphin Steno bredanensis DD
Genus: Tursiops
Common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus DD
Genus: Stenella
Pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata LR/cd
Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba LR/cd
Spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris LR/cd
Genus: Delphinus
Long-beaked common dolphin Delphinus capensis LR/lc
Short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis LR/lc
Genus: Lagenodelphis
Fraser's dolphin Lagenodelphis hosei DD
Genus: Lagenorhynchus
Pacific white-sided dolphin Lagenorhynchus obliquidens LR/lc
Genus: Lissodelphis
Northern right whale dolphin Lissodelphis borealis LR/lc
Genus: Grampus
Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus DD
Genus: Peponocephala
Melon-headed whale Peponocephala electra LR/lc
Genus: Feresa
Pygmy killer whale Feresa attenuata DD
Genus: Pseudorca
False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens LR/lc
Genus: Orcinus
Orca Orcinus orca LR/cd
Genus: Globicephala
Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus LR/cd
There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which feed primarily on meat. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition. Wolves and otters are now believed to be extinct in Japan.
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae (cats)
Subfamily: Felinae
Genus: Prionailurus
Iriomote cat Prionailurus bengalensis iriomotensis CR
Tshushima leopard cat Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus/euptilura CR
Family: Herpestidae (mongooses)
Genus: Herpestes
Small Indian mongoose Herpestes auropunctatus LR/lc
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Canidae (dogs, foxes)
Genus: Vulpes
Red fox Vulpes vulpes LC
Genus: Nyctereutes
Raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides LC
Genus: Canis
Hokkaido wolf Canis lupus hattai EX (1889)
Honshu wolf Canis lupus hodophilax EX (1905)
Family: Ursidae (bears)
Genus: Ursus
Brown bear Ursus arctos LR/lc
Asiatic black bear Ursus thibetanus VU
Family: Mustelidae (mustelids)
Genus: Mustela
Stoat Mustela erminea LR/lc
Least weasel Mustela nivalis LR/lc
Japanese weasel Mustela itatsi LC
Genus: Martes
Japanese marten LR/lc
Sable Martes zibellina LR/lc
Genus: Meles
Japanese badger Meles anakuma LC
Genus: Lutra
European otter Lutra lutra NT
Japanese otter Lutra nippon EX (when?)
Genus: Enhydra
Sea otter Enhydra lutris EN
Family: Otariidae (eared seals, sealions)
Genus: Callorhinus
Northern fur seal Callorhinus ursinus VU
Genus: Eumetopias
Steller sea lion Eumetopias jubatus EN
Genus: Zalophus
Japanese sea lion Zalophus japonicus EX (after 1974)
Family: Odobenidae
Genus: Odobenus
Walrus Odobenus rosmarus LR/lc
Family: Phocidae (earless seals)
Genus: Erignathus
Bearded seal Erignathus barbatus LR/lc
Genus: Histriophoca
Ribbon seal Histriophoca fasciata LR/lc
Genus: Mirounga
Northern elephant seal Mirounga angustirostris LR/lc
Genus: Phoca
Spotted seal Phoca largha LR/lc
Common seal Phoca vitulina LR/lc
Genus: Pusa
Ringed seal Pusa hispida LR/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: Suinae
Genus: Sus
Wild boar Sus scrofa LR/lc
Japanese boar Sus scrofa leucomystax
Ryukyu boar Sus scrofa riukiuanus
Family: Cervidae (deer)
Subfamily: Cervinae
Genus: Cervus
Sika deer Cervus nippon LR/lc
Family: Bovidae (cattle, antelope, sheep, goats)
Subfamily: Caprinae
Genus: Nemorhaedus
Japanese serow Nemorhaedus crispus LR/cd
