This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Malawi. There are 192 mammal species in Malawi, of which 1 is critically endangered, 2 are endangered, 4 are vulnerable, and 11 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
Short-snouted elephant shrew Elephantulus brachyrhynchus LC
Dusky elephant shrew Elephantulus fuscus DD
Genus: Petrodromus
Four-toed elephant shrew Petrodromus tetradactylus LC
Genus: Rhynchocyon
Checkered elephant shrew Rhynchocyon cirnei NT
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 (hylaxes)
Genus: Heterohyrax
Yellow-spotted rock hyrax Heterohyrax brucei 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
Mohol bushbaby Galago moholi LR/lc
Genus: Galagoides
Prince Demidoff's bushbaby Galagoides demidovii LR/lc
Grant's bushbaby Galagoides granti DD
Malawi bushbaby Galagoides nyasae DD
Thomas's bushbaby Galagoides thomasi LR/lc
Zanzibar bushbaby Galagoides zanzibaricus LR/nt
Genus: Otolemur
Brown greater galago Otolemur crassicaudatus LR/lc
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Parvorder: Catarrhini
Superfamily: Cercopithecoidea
Family: Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys)
Genus: Chlorocebus
Vervet monkey Chlorocebus pygerythrus LR/lc
Genus: Cercopithecus
Blue monkey Cercopithecus mitis LR/lc
Genus: Papio
Yellow baboon Papio cynocephalus LR/lc
Chacma baboon Papio ursinus LR/lc
Subfamily: Colobinae
Genus: Colobus
Angola colobus Colobus angolensis 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: Cryptomys
Common mole-rat Cryptomys hottentotus LC
Mechow's mole-rat Cryptomys mechowi LC
Genus: Heliophobius
Silvery mole-rat Heliophobius argenteocinereus LC
Family: Hystricidae (Old World porcupines)
Genus: Hystrix
Cape porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis LC
Family: Thryonomyidae (cane rats)
Genus: Thryonomys
Lesser cane rat Thryonomys gregorianus LC
Suborder: Sciurognathi
Family: Anomaluridae
Subfamily: Anomalurinae
Genus: Anomalurus
Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel Anomalurus derbianus LC
Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
Subfamily: Xerinae
Tribe: Protoxerini
Genus: Heliosciurus
Mutable sun squirrel Heliosciurus mutabilis LC
Genus: Paraxerus
Smith's bush squirrel Paraxerus cepapi LC
Striped bush squirrel Paraxerus flavovittis DD
Black and red bush squirrel Paraxerus lucifer DD
Red bush squirrel Paraxerus palliatus LC
Family: Gliridae (dormice)
Subfamily: Graphiurinae
Genus: Graphiurus
Johnston's African dormouse Graphiurus johnstoni DD
Small-eared dormouse Graphiurus microtis LC
Family: Nesomyidae
Subfamily: Dendromurinae
Genus: Dendromus
Gray climbing mouse Dendromus melanotis LC
Brant's climbing mouse Dendromus mesomelas LC
Chestnut climbing mouse Dendromus mystacalis LC
Nyika climbing mouse Dendromus nyikae LC
Genus: Steatomys
Fat mouse Steatomys pratensis LC
Subfamily: Cricetomyinae
Genus: Beamys
Greater hamster-rat Beamys major NT
Genus: Cricetomys
Gambian pouched rat Cricetomys gambianus LC
Genus: Saccostomus
South African pouched mouse Saccostomus campestris LC
Family: Muridae (mice, rats, voles, gerbils, hamsters, etc.)
Subfamily: Deomyinae
Genus: Acomys
Spiny mouse Acomys spinosissimus LC
Genus: Lophuromys
Yellow-spotted brush-furred rat Lophuromys flavopunctatus LC
Genus: Uranomys
Rudd's mouse Uranomys ruddi LC
Subfamily: Otomyinae
Genus: Otomys
Angoni vlei rat Otomys angoniensis LC
Dent's vlei rat Otomys denti NT
Tanzanian vlei rat Otomys lacustris NT
Uzungwe vlei rat Otomys uzungwensis EN
Subfamily: Gerbillinae
Genus: Tatera
Boehm's gerbil Tatera boehmi LC
Bushveld gerbil Tatera leucogaster LC
Subfamily: Murinae
Genus: Aethomys
Red rock rat Aethomys chrysophilus LC
Kaiser's rock rat Aethomys kaiseri LC
Namaqua rock rat Aethomys namaquensis LC
Nyika rock rat Aethomys nyikae LC
Genus: Arvicanthis
African grass rat Arvicanthis niloticus LC
Genus: Dasymys
African marsh rat Dasymys incomtus LC
Genus: Grammomys
Woodland thicket rat Grammomys dolichurus LC
Ruwenzori thicket rat Grammomys ibeanus LC
Genus: Hylomyscus
Montane wood mouse Hylomyscus denniae LC
Genus: Lemniscomys
Single-striped grass mouse Lemniscomys rosalia LC
Typical striped grass mouse Lemniscomys striatus LC
Genus: Mastomys
Natal multimammate mouse Mastomys natalensis LC
Genus: Mus
African pygmy mouse Mus minutoides LC
Gray-bellied pygmy mouse Mus triton LC
Genus: Mylomys
African groove-toothed rat Mylomys dybowskii LC
Genus: Pelomys
Creek groove-toothed swamp rat Pelomys fallax LC
Genus: Praomys
Delectable soft-furred mouse Praomys delectorum NT
Genus: Rhabdomys
Four-striped grass mouse Rhabdomys pumilio LC
Genus: Thallomys
Acacia rat Thallomys paedulcus LC
Genus: Zelotomys
Hildegarde's broad-headed mouse Zelotomys hildegardeae 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: Pronolagus
Smith's red rock hare Pronolagus rupestris 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
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: krocidill
Reddish-gray musk shrew Crocidura cyanea LC
Bicolored musk shrew Crocidura fuscomurina LC
Lesser red musk shrew Crocidura hirta LC
Moonshine shrew Crocidura luna LC
Lesser gray-brown musk shrew Crocidura silacea LC
Turbo shrew Crocidura turba LC
Genus: Suncus
Greater dwarf shrew Suncus lixus LC
Lesser dwarf shrew Suncus varilla 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
Peters's epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus crypturus LC
Ethiopian epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus labiatus LC
Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat Epomophorus wahlbergi LC
Genus: Epomops
Dobson's epauletted fruit bat Epomops dobsoni LC
Genus: Plerotes
D'Anchieta's fruit bat Plerotes anchietae DD
Genus: Rousettus
Egyptian fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus LC
Long-haired rousette Rousettus lanosus LC
Family: Vespertilionidae
Subfamily: Kerivoulinae
Genus: Kerivoula
Damara woolly bat Kerivoula argentata LC
Lesser woolly bat Kerivoula lanosa LC
Subfamily: Myotinae
Genus: Myotis
Rufous mouse-eared bat Myotis bocagii LC
Cape hairy bat Myotis tricolor LC
Welwitsch's bat Myotis welwitschii LC
Subfamily: Vespertilioninae
Genus: Eptesicus
Long-tailed house bat Eptesicus hottentotus LC
Genus: Glauconycteris
Silvered bat Glauconycteris argentata LC
Butterfly bat Glauconycteris variegata LC
Genus: Laephotis
Botswanan long-eared bat Laephotis botswanae LC
Genus: Neoromicia
Cape serotine Neoromicia capensis LC
Yellow serotine Neoromicia flavescens DD
Melck's house bat Neoromicia melckorum DD
Banana pipistrelle Neoromicia nanus LC
Rendall's serotine Neoromicia rendalli LC
Somali serotine Neoromicia somalicus LC
Zulu serotine Neoromicia zuluensis LC
Genus: Nycticeinops
Schlieffen's bat Nycticeinops schlieffeni LC
Genus: Pipistrellus
Rüppell's pipistrelle Pipistrellus rueppelli LC
Rusty pipistrelle Pipistrellus rusticus LC
Genus: Scotoecus
White-bellied lesser house bat Scotoecus albigula DD
Light-winged lesser house bat Scotoecus albofuscus DD
Hinde's lesser house bat Scotoecus hindei DD
Dark-winged lesser house bat Scotoecus hirundo DD
Genus: Scotophilus
African yellow bat Scotophilus dinganii LC
Schreber's yellow bat Scotophilus nigrita NT
Greenish yellow bat Scotophilus viridis LC
Subfamily: Miniopterinae
Genus: Miniopterus
Lesser long-fingered bat Miniopterus fraterculus LC
Natal long-fingered bat Miniopterus natalensis NT
Family: Molossidae
Genus: Chaerephon
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
Genus: Otomops
Large-eared free-tailed bat Otomops martiensseni NT
Genus: Tadarida
Madagascan large free-tailed bat Tadarida fulminans LC
African giant free-tailed bat Tadarida ventralis NT
Family: Emballonuridae
Genus: Taphozous
Mauritian tomb bat Taphozous mauritianus LC
Family: Nycteridae
Genus: Nycteris
Large slit-faced bat Nycteris grandis LC
Hairy slit-faced bat Nycteris hispida LC
Large-eared slit-faced bat Nycteris macrotis LC
Egyptian slit-faced bat Nycteris thebaica LC
Wood's slit-faced bat Nycteris woodi NT
Family: Megadermatidae
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
Darling's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus darlingi LC
Rüppell's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus fumigatus LC
Hildebrandt's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hildebrandti LC
Lander's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus landeri LC
Bushveld horseshoe bat Rhinolophus simulator LC
Subfamily: Hipposiderinae
Genus: Hipposideros
Sundevall's roundleaf bat Hipposideros caffer LC
Noack's roundleaf bat Hipposideros ruber LC
Genus: Triaenops
Persian trident bat Triaenops persicus LC
The order Philodota comprises the eight species of pangolin. Pangoblins 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
South African cheetah Acinonyx jubatus jubatus VU
Genus: Caracal
Caracal Caracal caracal LC
Genus: Felis
Wildcat Felis silvestris LC
Genus: Leptailurus
Serval Leptailurus serval LC
Subfamily: Pantherinae
Genus: Panthera
Masai lion Panthera leo nubica VU
African leopard Panthera pardus pardus NT
Family: Viverridae (civets, mongooses, etc.)
Subfamily: Viverrinae
Genus: Civettictis
African civet Civettictis civetta LR/lc
Genus: Genetta
Angolan genet Genetta angolensis LR/lc
Rusty-spotted genet Genetta maculata LR/lc
Family: Nandiniidae
Genus: Nandinia
African palm civet Nandinia binotata LR/lc
Family: Herpestidae (mongooses)
Genus: Atilax
Marsh mongoose Atilax paludinosus LR/lc
Genus: Bdeogale
Bushy-tailed mongoose Bdeogale crassicauda LR/lc
Genus: Galerella
Slender mongoose Galerella sanguinea LR/lc
Genus: Helogale
Common dwarf mongoose Helogale parvula LR/lc
Genus: Herpestes
Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon LR/lc
Genus: Mungos
Banded mongoose Mungos mungo LR/lc
Genus: Paracynictis
Selous' mongoose Paracynictis selousi LR/lc
Genus: Rhynchogale
Meller's mongoose Rhynchogale melleri LR/lc
Family: Hyaenidae (hyaenas)
Genus: Crocuta
Spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta LR/cd
Genus: Hyaena
Brown hyena Hyaena brunnea LR/nt
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Canidae (dogs, foxes)
Genus: Canis
Side-striped jackal Canis adustus LC
Genus: Lycaon
East African wild dog Lycaon pictus lupinus EN
Family: Mustelidae (mustelids)
Genus: Ictonyx
Striped polecat Ictonyx striatus LR/lc
Genus: Poecilogale
African striped weasel Poecilogale albinucha 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 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
Crawshay's zebra Equus quagga crawshayi LC
Family: Rhinocerotidae
Genus: Diceros
South-central black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis minor 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
Common warthog Phacochoerus africanus LR/lc
Subfamily: Suinae
Genus: Potamochoerus
Bushpig Potamochoerus larvatus LR/lc
Family: Hippopotamidae (hippopotamuses)
Genus: Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius VU
Family: Bovidae (cattle, antelope, sheep, goats)
Subfamily: Alcelaphinae
Genus: Alcelaphus
Lichtenstein's hartebeest Alcelaphus lichtensteinii LR/cd
Genus: Connochaetes
Blue wildebeest Connochaetes taurinus LR/cd
Subfamily: Antilopinae
Genus: Neotragus
Suni Neotragus moschatus LR/cd
Genus: Oreotragus
Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus LR/cd
Genus: Ourebia
Oribi Ourebia ourebi LR/cd
Genus: Raphicerus
Sharpe's grysbok Raphicerus sharpei LR/cd
Subfamily: Bovinae
Genus: Syncerus
African buffalo Syncerus caffer LR/cd
Genus: Tragelaphus
Nyala Tragelaphus angasii LR/cd
Common eland Tragelaphus oryx LR/cd
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus LR/lc
Greater kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros LR/cd
Subfamily: Cephalophinae
Genus: Cephalophus
Blue duiker Cephalophus monticola LR/lc
Red forest duiker Cephalophus natalensis LR/cd
Genus: Sylvicapra
Common duiker Sylvicapra grimmia LR/lc
Subfamily: Hippotraginae
Genus: Hippotragus
Roan antelope Hippotragus equinus LR/cd
Sable antelope Hippotragus niger LR/cd
Subfamily: Aepycerotinae
Genus: Aepyceros
Impala Aepyceros melampus LR/cd
Subfamily: Reduncinae
Genus: Kobus
Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus LR/cd
Puku Kobus vardonii LR/cd
Genus: Redunca
Southern reedbuck Redunca arundinum LR/cd
