This is a list of the native wild mammal species recorded in Mexico. As of September 2014, there were 536 mammalian species or subspecies listed. Based on IUCN data, Mexico has 23% more noncetacean mammal species than the U.S. and Canada combined in an area only 10% as large, or a species density over 12 times that of its northern neighbors. Mexico's high mammal biodiversity is in part a reflection of the wide array of biomes present over its latitudinal, climatic and altitudinal ranges, from lowland tropical rainforest to temperate desert to montane forest to alpine tundra. The general increase in terrestrial biodiversity moving towards the equator is another important factor in the comparison. Mexico includes much of the Mesoamerican and Madrean pine-oak woodlands biodiversity hotspots. From a biogeographic standpoint, most of Mexico is linked to the rest of North America as part of the Nearctic ecozone. However, the lowlands of southern Mexico are linked with Central America and South America as part of the Neotropic ecozone. Extensive mixing of Nearctic and Neotropical mammal species commenced only three million years ago, when the formation of the Isthmus of Panama ended South America's long period of isolation and precipitated the Great American Interchange. Twenty of Mexico's extant nonflying species (opossums, armadillos, anteaters, monkeys and caviomorph rodents) are of South American origin. Most of the megafauna that formerly inhabited the region became extinct at the end of the Pleistocene about 10,000 years ago, shortly after the arrival of the first humans. Increasing alteration and destruction of natural habitats by expanding human populations during the last several centuries is causing further attrition of the region's biodiversity, as exemplified by the 'hotspot' designations (by definition, such areas have lost over 70% of their primary vegetation).
The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the IUCN:
Of the listed taxa, 7 are extinct, 1 (not recognized by the IUCN) is possibly extinct, 30 are critically endangered, 46 are endangered, 26 are vulnerable, and 23 are near-threatened. These status tags were most recently updated in April 2011. Six of the extinct or possibly extinct taxa and 11 of the critically endangered taxa are insular (all but two of these are rodents); another 13 of the critically endangered species (all rodents or shrews) are montane. The only critically endangered species that are neither rodents nor shrews are the Cozumel Island raccoon and the Gulf of California harbor porpoise or vaquita. The vaquita population estimate has dropped below 100 as of 2014 and it is regarded as being in imminent danger of extinction.
Marsupials are an infraclass of pouched mammals that was once more widely distributed. Today they are found primarily in isolated or formerly isolated continents of Gondwanan origin. Mexico's opossums are relatively recent immigrants from South America. Mexico's 7 marsupial genera compare to 1 in North America north of Mexico, 10 in Central America, 22 in South America, 52 in Australia, 28 in New Guinea and 2 in Sulawesi. South American marsupials are thought to be ancestral to those of Australia and elsewhere.
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
Subfamily: Didelphinae
Genus: Chironectes
Water opossum, Chironectes minimus LC
Genus: Didelphis
Common opossum, Didelphis marsupialis LC
Virginia opossum, Didelphis virginiana LC
Genus: Marmosa
Mexican mouse opossum, Marmosa mexicana LC
Genus: Metachirus
Brown four-eyed opossum, Metachirus nudicaudatus LC
Genus: Philander
Gray four-eyed opossum, Philander opossum LC
Genus: Tlacuatzin
Grayish mouse opossum, Tlacuatzin canescens LC
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. Manatees are the only extant afrotherians in the Americas. However, a number proboscid species, some of which survived until the arrival of Paleo-Indians, once inhabited the region. Mammoths, mastodons and gomphotheres all formerly lived in Mexico.
Family: Trichechidae
Genus: Trichechus
West Indian manatee, Trichechus manatus VU
Order: Cingulata (armadillos)
Armadillos are small mammals with a bony armored shell. Two of 21 extant species are present in Mexico; the remainder are only found in South America, where they originated. Their much larger relatives, the pampatheres and glyptodonts, once lived in North and South America but went extinct following the appearance of humans.
Family: Dasypodidae (long-nosed armadillos)
Subfamily: Dasypodinae
Genus: Dasypus
Nine-banded armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus LC
Family: Chlamyphoridae (armadillos)
Subfamily: Tolypeutinae
Genus: Cabassous
Northern naked-tailed armadillo, Cabassous centralis DD
Order: Pilosa (anteaters, sloths and tamanduas)
The order Pilosa is extant only in the Americas and includes the anteaters, sloths, and tamanduas. Their ancestral home is South America. 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, but all went extinct following the arrival of humans.
Suborder: Vermilingua
Family: Cyclopedidae
Genus: Cyclopes
Silky anteater, Cyclopes didactylus LC
Family: Myrmecophagidae (American anteaters)
Genus: Tamandua
Northern tamandua, Tamandua mexicana 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. Mexico's 2 genera of nonhuman primates compares to 6 in Central America, 20 in South America, 15 in Madagascar, 23 in Africa and 19 in Asia. Mexican and Central American monkeys are recent immigrants from South America, where their ancestors arrived after rafting over from Africa roughly 25 million years ago. Southeastern Mexico is the northernmost limit of the distribution of New World monkeys, which are restricted to tropical rainforest habitat.
Suborder: Haplorrhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Parvorder: Platyrrhini
Family: Atelidae
Subfamily: Alouattinae
Genus: Alouatta
Mantled howler, Alouatta palliata LC
Guatemalan black howler, Alouatta pigra EN
Subfamily: Atelinae
Genus: Ateles
Geoffroy's spider monkey, Ateles geoffroyi EN
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 keep short by gnawing. Most rodents are small, although the capybara can weigh up to 45 kg (100 lb). According to the IUCN listing, Mexico has more rodent species (236 as of April 2011) than any other country in the world (Brazil is second with 222). Of Mexico's rodents, 2% are caviomorphs, 14.5% are sciurids, 25.5% are castorimorphs and 58% are cricetids. This distribution is fairly similar to that of the remainder of North America (although sciurids are relatively twice as abundant to the north, at the expense of cricetids), but is very different from that of South America, where the corresponding figures are 36%, 3%, 1% and 60%. Of Mexico's cricetids, 17% are sigmodontine, while the figure for South America is 99.5%. Mexico's caviomorphs are recent immigrants from South America, where their ancestors washed ashore after rafting across the Atlantic from Africa about 40–45 million years ago. Conversely, South America's sciurids, castorimorphs and cricetids are recent immigrants from Central America (with sigmodontines getting a head start on the others).
Suborder: Hystricomorpha
Parvorder: Caviomorpha
Family: Erethizontidae (New World porcupines)
Subfamily: Erethizontinae
Genus: Erethizon
North American porcupine, Erethizon dorsatum LC
Genus: Coendou
Mexican hairy dwarf porcupine, Coendou mexicanus LC
Family: Dasyproctidae (agoutis and pacas)
Genus: Dasyprocta
Mexican agouti, Dasyprocta mexicana CR
Central American agouti, Dasyprocta punctata LC
Family: Cuniculidae
Genus: Cuniculus
Lowland paca, Cuniculus paca LC
Suborder: Sciuromorpha
Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
Subfamily: Sciurinae
Tribe: Pteromyini
Genus: Glaucomys
Southern flying squirrel, Glaucomys volans LC
Tribe: Sciurini
Genus: Sciurus
Abert's squirrel, Sciurus aberti LC
Allen's squirrel, Sciurus alleni LC
Arizona gray squirrel, Sciurus arizonensis DD
Mexican gray squirrel, Sciurus aureogaster LC
Collie's squirrel, Sciurus colliaei LC
Deppe's squirrel, Sciurus deppei LC
Western gray squirrel, Sciurus griseus LC
Mexican fox squirrel, Sciurus nayaritensis LC
Fox squirrel, Sciurus niger LC
Peters's squirrel, Sciurus oculatus LC
Variegated squirrel, Sciurus variegatoides LC
Yucatan squirrel, Sciurus yucatanensis LC
Genus: Tamiasciurus
Mearns's squirrel, Tamiasciurus mearnsi EN
Subfamily: Xerinae
Tribe: Marmotini
Genus: Ammospermophilus
Harris's antelope squirrel, Ammospermophilus harrisii LC
Espíritu Santo antelope squirrel, Ammospermophilus insularis
Texas antelope squirrel, Ammospermophilus interpres LC
White-tailed antelope squirrel, Ammospermophilus leucurus LC
Genus: Cynomys
Black-tailed prairie dog, Cynomys ludovicianus LC
Mexican prairie dog, Cynomys mexicanus EN
Genus: Neotamias
Buller's chipmunk, Neotamias bulleri VU
Cliff chipmunk, Neotamias dorsalis LC
Durango chipmunk, Neotamias durangae LC
Merriam's chipmunk, Neotamias merriami LC
California chipmunk, Neotamias obscurus LC
Genus: Spermophilus
Tropical ground squirrel, Spermophilus adocetus LC
Ring-tailed ground squirrel, Spermophilus annulatus LC
Baja California rock squirrel, Spermophilus atricapillus EN
California ground squirrel, Spermophilus beecheyi LC
Sierra Madre ground squirrel, Spermophilus madrensis NT
Mexican ground squirrel, Spermophilus mexicanus LC
Perote ground squirrel, Spermophilus perotensis EN
Spotted ground squirrel, Spermophilus spilosoma LC
Round-tailed ground squirrel, Spermophilus tereticaudus LC
Rock squirrel, Spermophilus variegatus LC
Suborder: Castorimorpha
Family: Castoridae (beavers)
Genus: Castor
American beaver, Castor canadensis LC
Family: Geomyidae
Genus: Cratogeomys
Yellow-faced pocket gopher, Cratogeomys castanops LC
Cratogeomys fulvescens LC
Smoky pocket gopher, Cratogeomys fumosus LC
Goldman's pocket gopher, Cratogeomys goldmani LC
Merriam's pocket gopher, Cratogeomys merriami LC
Cratogeomys perotensis LC
Cratogeomys planiceps LC
Genus: Geomys
Desert pocket gopher, Geomys arenarius NT
Texas pocket gopher, Geomys personatus LC
Tropical pocket gopher, Geomys tropicalis CR
Genus: Orthogeomys
Oaxacan pocket gopher, Orthogeomys cuniculus DD
Giant pocket gopher, Orthogeomys grandis LC
Hispid pocket gopher, Orthogeomys hispidus LC
Big pocket gopher, Orthogeomys lanius CR
Genus: Pappogeomys
Alcorn's pocket gopher, Pappogeomys alcorni CR
Buller's pocket gopher, Pappogeomys bulleri LC
Genus: Thomomys
Botta's pocket gopher, Thomomys bottae LC
Southern pocket gopher, Thomomys umbrinus LC
Genus: Zygogeomys
Michoacan pocket gopher, Zygogeomys trichopus EN
Family: Heteromyidae
Subfamily: Dipodomyinae
Genus: Dipodomys
Agile kangaroo rat, Dipodomys agilis LC
Gulf Coast kangaroo rat, Dipodomys compactus LC
Desert kangaroo rat, Dipodomys deserti LC
San Quintin kangaroo rat, Dipodomys gravipes CR
San Jose Island kangaroo rat, Dipodomys insularis CR
Margarita Island kangaroo rat, Dipodomys margaritae CR
Merriam's kangaroo rat, Dipodomys merriami LC
Nelson's kangaroo rat, Dipodomys nelsoni LC
Ord's kangaroo rat, Dipodomys ordii LC
Phillips' kangaroo rat, Dipodomys phillipsii LC
Dulzura kangaroo rat, Dipodomys simulans LC
Banner-tailed kangaroo rat, Dipodomys spectabilis NT
Subfamily: Heteromyinae
Genus: Heteromys
Desmarest's spiny pocket mouse, Heteromys desmarestianus LC
Gaumer's spiny pocket mouse, Heteromys gaumeri LC
Mexican spiny pocket mouse, Heteromys irroratus LC
Nelson's spiny pocket mouse, Heteromys nelsoni EN
Painted spiny pocket mouse, Heteromys pictus LC
Salvin's spiny pocket mouse, Heteromys salvini LC
Jaliscan spiny pocket mouse, Heteromys spectabilis EN
Subfamily: Perognathinae
Genus: Chaetodipus
Little desert pocket mouse, Chaetodipus arenarius LC
Narrow-skulled pocket mouse, Chaetodipus artus LC
Bailey's pocket mouse, Chaetodipus baileyi LC
California pocket mouse, Chaetodipus californicus LC
Dalquest's pocket mouse, Chaetodipus dalquesti VU
Chihuahuan pocket mouse, Chaetodipus eremicus LC
San Diego pocket mouse, Chaetodipus fallax LC
Long-tailed pocket mouse, Chaetodipus formosus LC
Goldman's pocket mouse, Chaetodipus goldmani NT
Hispid pocket mouse, Chaetodipus hispidus LC
Rock pocket mouse, Chaetodipus intermedius LC
Lined pocket mouse, Chaetodipus lineatus DD
Nelson's pocket mouse, Chaetodipus nelsoni LC
Desert pocket mouse, Chaetodipus penicillatus LC
Sinaloan pocket mouse, Chaetodipus pernix LC
Baja pocket mouse, Chaetodipus rudinoris LC
Spiny pocket mouse, Chaetodipus spinatus LC
Genus: Perognathus
Arizona pocket mouse, Perognathus amplus LC
Plains pocket mouse, Perognathus flavescens LC
Silky pocket mouse, Perognathus flavus LC
Little pocket mouse, Perognathus longimembris LC
Merriam's pocket mouse, Perognathus merriami LC
Suborder: Myomorpha
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Arvicolinae
Genus: Microtus
California vole, Microtus californicus LC
Guatemalan vole, Microtus guatemalensis NT
Mexican vole, Microtus mexicanus LC
Tarabundí vole, Microtus oaxacensis EN
Meadow vole, Microtus pennsylvanicus LC
Jalapan pine vole, Microtus quasiater NT
Zempoaltépec vole, Microtus umbrosus EN
Genus: Ondatra
Muskrat, Ondatra zibethicus LC
Subfamily: Tylomyinae
Genus: Nyctomys
Sumichrast's vesper rat, Nyctomys sumichrasti LC
Genus: Otonyctomys
Hatt's vesper rat, Otonyctomys hatti LC
Genus: Ototylomys
Big-eared climbing rat, Ototylomys phyllotis LC
Genus: Tylomys
Chiapan climbing rat, Tylomys bullaris CR
Peters's climbing rat, Tylomys nudicaudus LC
Tumbala climbing rat, Tylomys tumbalensis CR
Subfamily: Neotominae
Genus: Baiomys
Southern pygmy mouse, Baiomys musculus LC
Northern pygmy mouse, Baiomys taylori LC
Genus: Habromys
Chinanteco deer mouse, Habromys chinanteco CR
Delicate deer mouse, Habromys delicatulus CR
Ixtlán deer mouse, Habromys ixtlani CR
Zempoaltepec deer mouse, Habromys lepturus CR
Crested-tailed deer mouse, Habromys lophurus NT
Habromys schmidlyi CR
Jico deer mouse, Habromys simulatus EN
Genus: Hodomys
Allen's wood rat, Hodomys alleni LC
Genus: Megadontomys
Oaxaca giant deer mouse, Megadontomys cryophilus EN
Nelson's giant deer mouse, Megadontomys nelsoni EN
Thomas's giant deer mouse, Megadontomys thomasi EN
Genus: Nelsonia
Goldman's diminutive woodrat, Nelsonia goldmani EN
Diminutive woodrat, Nelsonia neotomodon NT
Genus: Neotoma
White-throated woodrat, Neotoma albigula LC
Tamaulipan woodrat, Neotoma angustapalata EN
Anthony's woodrat, Neotoma anthonyi EX
Bryant's woodrat, Neotoma bryanti EN
Bunker's woodrat, Neotoma bunkeri EX
Arizona woodrat, Neotoma devia LC
Dusky-footed woodrat, Neotoma fuscipes LC
Goldman's woodrat, Neotoma goldmani LC
Desert woodrat, Neotoma lepida LC
White-toothed woodrat, Neotoma leucodon LC
Big-eared woodrat, Neotoma macrotis LC
San Martin Island woodrat, Neotoma martinensis EX
Mexican woodrat, Neotoma mexicana LC
Southern plains woodrat, Neotoma micropus LC
Nelson's woodrat, Neotoma nelsoni CR
Bolaños woodrat, Neotoma palatina VU
Sonoran woodrat, Neotoma phenax NT
Turner Island woodrat, Neotoma albigula varia
Genus: Neotomodon
Mexican volcano mouse, Neotomodon alstoni LC
Genus: Osgoodomys
Michoacan deer mouse, Osgoodomys banderanus LC
Genus: Peromyscus
Aztec mouse, Peromyscus aztecus LC
Peromyscus beatae LC
Brush mouse, Peromyscus boylii LC
Perote mouse, Peromyscus bullatus CR
California mouse, Peromyscus californicus LC
Burt's deer mouse, Peromyscus caniceps CR
Canyon mouse, Peromyscus crinitus LC
Dickey's deer mouse, Peromyscus dickeyi CR
Zacatecan deer mouse, Peromyscus difficilis LC
Cactus mouse, Peromyscus eremicus LC
Eva's desert mouse, Peromyscus eva LC
Peromyscus fraterculus LC
Blackish deer mouse, Peromyscus furvus DD
Osgood's mouse, Peromyscus gratus LC
Angel Island mouse, Peromyscus guardia CR
Guatemalan deer mouse, Peromyscus guatemalensis LC
Naked-eared deer mouse, Peromyscus gymnotis LC
Hooper's mouse, Peromyscus hooperi LC
Peromyscus hylocetes LC
San Lorenzo mouse, Peromyscus interparietalis CR
White-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus LC
Nimble-footed mouse, Peromyscus levipes LC
Tres Marias Island mouse, Peromyscus madrensis EN
Deer mouse, Peromyscus maniculatus LC
Brown deer mouse, Peromyscus megalops LC
Puebla deer mouse, Peromyscus mekisturus CR
Zempoaltepec, Peromyscus melanocarpus EN
Plateau mouse, Peromyscus melanophrys LC
Black-eared mouse, Peromyscus melanotis LC
Black-tailed mouse, Peromyscus melanurus EN
Mesquite mouse, Peromyscus merriami LC
Mexican deer mouse, Peromyscus mexicanus LC
Northern rock mouse, Peromyscus nasutus LC
El Carrizo deer mouse, Peromyscus ochraventer EN
White-ankled mouse, Peromyscus pectoralis LC
Pemberton's deer mouse, Peromyscus pembertoni EX
Tawny deer mouse, Peromyscus perfulvus LC
Chihuahuan mouse, Peromyscus polius NT
False canyon mouse, Peromyscus pseudocrinitus CR
Peromyscus sagax DD
Schmidly's deer mouse, Peromyscus schmidlyi LC
Santa Cruz mouse, Peromyscus sejugis EN
Nayarit mouse, Peromyscus simulus VU
Slevin's mouse, Peromyscus slevini CR
Gleaning mouse, Peromyscus spicilegus LC
San Esteban Island mouse, Peromyscus stephani CR
Pinyon mouse, Peromyscus truei LC
Winkelmann's mouse, Peromyscus winkelmanni EN
Yucatan deer mouse, Peromyscus yucatanicus LC
Chiapan deer mouse, Peromyscus zarhynchus VU
Genus: Reithrodontomys
Reithrodontomys bakeri EN
Sonoran harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys burti DD
Volcano harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys chrysopsis LC
Fulvous harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys fulvescens LC
Slender harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys gracilis LC
Hairy harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys hirsutus VU
Western harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys megalotis LC
Mexican harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys mexicanus LC
Small-toothed harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys microdon LC
Plains harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys montanus LC
Cozumel harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys spectabilis CR
Sumichrast's harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys sumichrasti LC
Narrow-nosed harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys tenuirostris VU
Zacatecas harvest mouse, Reithrodontomys zacatecae LC
Genus: Scotinomys
Alston's brown mouse, Scotinomys teguina LC
Genus: Xenomys
Magdalena rat, Xenomys nelsoni EN
Subfamily: Sigmodontinae
Genus: Handleyomys
Alfaro's rice rat, Handleyomys alfaroi LC
Chapman's rice rat, Handleyomys chapmani LC
Black-eared rice rat, Handleyomys melanotis LC
Striped rice rat, Handleyomys rhabdops VU
Long-nosed rice rat, Handleyomys rostratus LC
Cloud forest rice rat, Handleyomys saturatior NT
Genus: Oligoryzomys
Fulvous pygmy rice rat, Oligoryzomys fulvescens LC
Genus: Onychomys
Chihuahuan grasshopper mouse, Onychomys arenicola LC
Northern grasshopper mouse, Onychomys leucogaster LC
Southern grasshopper mouse, Onychomys torridus LC
Genus: Oryzomys
White-bellied rice rat, Oryzomys albiventer
Coues' rice rat, Oryzomys couesi LC
Nelson's rice rat, Oryzomys nelsoni EX
Marsh rice rat, Oryzomys palustris LC
Lower California rice rat, Oryzomys peninsulae
Genus: Rheomys
Mexican water mouse, Rheomys mexicanus EN
Thomas's water mouse, Rheomys thomasi NT
Genus: Sigmodon
Allen's cotton rat, Sigmodon alleni VU
Arizona cotton rat, Sigmodon arizonae LC
Tawny-bellied cotton rat, Sigmodon fulviventer LC
Southern cotton rat, Sigmodon hirsutus LC
White-eared cotton rat, Sigmodon leucotis LC
Jaliscan cotton rat, Sigmodon mascotensis LC
Yellow-nosed cotton rat, Sigmodon ochrognathus LC
Miahuatlán cotton rat, Sigmodon planifrons EN
Toltec cotton rat, Sigmodon toltecus 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. The endangered volcano rabbit of the Trans-Mexican Volcanic Belt is the world's second smallest rabbit. In North America, pikas are not found south of southern California and northern New Mexico.
Family: Leporidae (rabbits, hares)
Genus: Romerolagus
Volcano rabbit, Romerolagus diazi EN
Genus: Sylvilagus
Desert cottontail, Sylvilagus audubonii LC
Brush rabbit, Sylvilagus bachmani LC
Tapeti, Sylvilagus brasiliensis LC
Mexican cottontail, Sylvilagus cunicularius LC
Eastern cottontail, Sylvilagus floridanus LC
Tres Marias cottontail, Sylvilagus graysoni EN
Omilteme cottontail, Sylvilagus insonus EN
San Jose brush rabbit, Sylvilagus mansuetus NT
Robust cottontail, Sylvilagus robustus EN
Genus: Lepus
Antelope jackrabbit, Lepus alleni LC
Black-tailed jackrabbit, Lepus californicus LC
White-sided jackrabbit, Lepus callotis NT
Tehuantepec jackrabbit, Lepus flavigularis EN
Black jackrabbit, Lepus insularis NT
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 the Americas, moles are not present south of the northernmost tier of Mexican states, where they are rare.
Family: Soricidae (shrews)
Subfamily: Soricinae
Tribe: Blarinini
Genus: Cryptotis
Central Mexican broad-clawed shrew, Cryptotis alticola DD
Goldman's broad-clawed shrew, Cryptotis goldmani LC
Goodwin's broad-clawed shrew, Cryptotis goodwini LC
Guatemalan broad-clawed shrew, Cryptotis griseoventris VU
Big Mexican small-eared shrew, Cryptotis magna VU
Yucatan small-eared shrew, Cryptotis mayensis LC
Merriam's small-eared shrew, Cryptotis merriami LC
Mexican small-eared shrew, Cryptotis mexicana LC
Nelson's small-eared shrew, Cryptotis nelsoni CR
Grizzled Mexican small-eared shrew, Cryptotis obscura VU
North American least shrew, Cryptotis parva LC
Oaxacan broad-clawed shrew, Cryptotis peregrina DD
Phillips' small-eared shrew, Cryptotis phillipsii VU
Tropical small-eared shrew, Cryptotis tropicalis DD
Tribe: Notiosoricini
Genus: Megasorex
Mexican shrew, Megasorex gigas LC
Genus: Notiosorex
Cockrum's gray shrew, Notiosorex cockrumi LC
Crawford's gray shrew, Notiosorex crawfordi LC
Large-eared gray shrew, Notiosorex evotis LC
Villa's gray shrew, Notiosorex villai VU
Tribe: Soricini
Genus: Sorex
Arizona shrew, Sorex arizonae LC
Zacatecas shrew, Sorex emarginatus LC
Sorex ixtlanensis DD
Large-toothed shrew, Sorex macrodon VU
Sorex mediopua LC
Carmen Mountain shrew, Sorex milleri VU
Montane shrew, Sorex monticolus LC
Mexican long-tailed shrew, Sorex oreopolus LC
Orizaba long-tailed shrew, Sorex orizabae LC
Ornate shrew, Sorex ornatus LC
Saussure's shrew, Sorex saussurei LC
Sclater's shrew, Sorex sclateri CR
San Cristobal shrew, Sorex stizodon CR
Chestnut-bellied shrew, Sorex ventralis LC
Veracruz shrew, Sorex veraecrucis LC
Verapaz shrew, Sorex veraepacis LC
Family: Talpidae (moles)
Subfamily: Scalopinae
Tribe: Scalopini
Genus: Scalopus
Eastern mole, Scalopus aquaticus LC
Genus: Scapanus
Broad-footed mole, Scapanus latimanus 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
Genus: Noctilio
Lesser bulldog bat, Noctilio albiventris LC
Greater bulldog bat, Noctilio leporinus LC
Family: Vespertilionidae
Subfamily: Myotinae
Genus: Lasionycteris
Silver-haired bat, Lasionycteris noctivagans LC
Genus: Myotis
Silver-tipped myotis, Myotis albescens LC
Southwestern myotis, Myotis auriculus LC
California myotis, Myotis californicus LC
Western small-footed myotis, Myotis ciliolabrum LC
Elegant myotis, Myotis elegans LC
Long-eared myotis, Myotis evotis LC
Findley's myotis, Myotis findleyi EN
Cinnamon myotis, Myotis fortidens LC
Hairy-legged myotis, Myotis keaysi LC
Little brown bat, Myotis lucifugus LC
Myotis melanorhinus LC
Black myotis, Myotis nigricans LC
Arizona myotis, Myotis occultus LC
Peninsular myotis, Myotis peninsularis EN
Flat-headed myotis, Myotis planiceps EN
Fringed myotis, Myotis thysanodes LC
Cave myotis, Myotis velifer LC
Fish-eating bat, Myotis vivesi VU
Long-legged myotis, Myotis volans LC
Yuma myotis, Myotis yumanensis LC
Subfamily: Vespertilioninae
Genus: Antrozous
Pallid bat, Antrozous pallidus LC
Genus: Bauerus
Van Gelder's bat, Bauerus dubiaquercus NT
Genus: Corynorhinus
Mexican big-eared bat, Corynorhinus mexicanus NT
Townsend's big-eared bat, Corynorhinus townsendii LC
Genus: Eptesicus
Brazilian brown bat, Eptesicus brasiliensis LC
Argentine brown bat, Eptesicus furinalis LC
Big brown bat, Eptesicus fuscus LC
Genus: Euderma
Spotted bat, Euderma maculatum LC
Genus: Idionycteris
Allen's big-eared bat, Idionycteris phyllotis LC
Genus: Lasiurus
Desert red bat, Lasiurus blossevillii LC
Eastern red bat, Lasiurus borealis LC
Hoary bat, Lasiurus cinereus LC
Southern yellow bat, Lasiurus ega LC
Northern yellow bat, Lasiurus intermedius LC
Seminole bat, Lasiurus seminolus LC
Western yellow bat, Lasiurus xanthinus LC
Genus: Nycticeius
Evening bat, Nycticeius humeralis LC
Genus: Pipistrellus
Western pipistrelle, Pipistrellus hesperus LC
Eastern pipistrelle, Pipistrellus subflavus LC
Genus: Rhogeessa
Yucatan yellow bat, Rhogeessa aeneus LC
Allen's yellow bat, Rhogeessa alleni LC
Genoways's yellow bat, Rhogeessa genowaysi EN
Slender yellow bat, Rhogeessa gracilis LC
Least yellow bat, Rhogeessa mira VU
Little yellow bat, Rhogeessa parvula LC
Black-winged little yellow bat, Rhogeessa tumida LC
Family: Molossidae
Genus: Cynomops
Mexican dog-faced bat, Cynomops mexicanus LC
Genus: Eumops
Black bonneted bat, Eumops auripendulus LC
Dwarf bonneted bat, Eumops bonariensis LC
Wagner's bonneted bat, Eumops glaucinus LC
Sanborn's bonneted bat, Eumops hansae LC
Western mastiff bat, Eumops perotis LC
Underwood's bonneted bat, Eumops underwoodi LC
Genus: Molossus
Aztec mastiff bat, Molossus aztecus LC
Coiban mastiff bat, Molossus coibensis 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
Genus: Nyctinomops
Peale's free-tailed bat, Nyctinomops aurispinosus LC
Pocketed free-tailed bat, Nyctinomops femorosaccus LC
Broad-eared bat, Nyctinomops laticaudatus LC
Big free-tailed bat, Nyctinomops macrotis LC
Genus: Promops
Big crested mastiff bat, Promops centralis LC
Genus: Tadarida
Mexican free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis LC
Family: Emballonuridae
Genus: Balantiopteryx
Thomas's sac-winged bat, Balantiopteryx io VU
Gray sac-winged bat, Balantiopteryx plicata LC
Genus: Centronycteris
Thomas's shaggy bat, Centronycteris centralis LC
Genus: Diclidurus
Northern ghost bat, Diclidurus albus LC
Genus: Peropteryx
Greater dog-like bat, Peropteryx kappleri LC
Lesser doglike bat, Peropteryx macrotis LC
Genus: Rhynchonycteris
Proboscis bat, Rhynchonycteris naso LC
Genus: Saccopteryx
Greater sac-winged bat, Saccopteryx bilineata LC
Lesser sac-winged bat, Saccopteryx leptura LC
Family: Mormoopidae
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
Parnell's mustached bat, Pteronotus parnellii LC
Wagner's mustached bat, Pteronotus personatus LC
Family: Phyllostomidae
Subfamily: Phyllostominae
Genus: Chrotopterus
Big-eared wooly bat, Chrotopterus auritus LC
Genus: Glyphonycteris
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
Genus: Lophostoma
Pygmy round-eared bat, Lophostoma brasiliense LC
Davis's round-eared bat, Lophostoma evotis LC
Genus: Macrophyllum
Long-legged bat, Macrophyllum macrophyllum LC
Genus: Macrotus
California leaf-nosed bat, Macrotus californicus LC
Waterhouse's leaf-nosed bat, Macrotus waterhousii LC
Genus: Micronycteris
Common big-eared bat, Micronycteris microtis LC
Schmidts's big-eared bat, Micronycteris schmidtorum LC
Genus: Mimon
Cozumelan golden bat, Mimon cozumelae LC
Striped hairy-nosed bat, Mimon crenulatum LC
Genus: Phylloderma
Pale-faced bat, Phylloderma stenops LC
Genus: Phyllostomus
Pale spear-nosed bat, Phyllostomus discolor LC
Genus: Tonatia
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
Geoffroy's tailless bat, Anoura geoffroyi LC
Genus: Choeroniscus
Godman's long-tailed bat, Choeroniscus godmani LC
Genus: Choeronycteris
Mexican long-tongued bat, Choeronycteris mexicana NT
Genus: Glossophaga
Commissaris's long-tongued bat, Glossophaga commissarisi LC
Gray long-tongued bat, Glossophaga leachii LC
Western long-tongued bat, Glossophaga morenoi LC
Pallas's long-tongued bat, Glossophaga soricina LC
Genus: Hylonycteris
Underwood's long-tongued bat, Hylonycteris underwoodi LC
Genus: Leptonycteris
Greater long-nosed bat, Leptonycteris nivalis EN
Lesser long-nosed bat, Leptonycteris yerbabuenae VU
Genus: Lichonycteris
Dark long-tongued bat, Lichonycteris obscura LC
Genus: Musonycteris
Banana bat, Musonycteris harrisoni VU
Subfamily: Carolliinae
Genus: Carollia
Seba's short-tailed bat, Carollia perspicillata LC
Sowell's short-tailed bat, Carollia sowelli LC
Gray short-tailed bat, Carollia subrufa LC
Subfamily: Stenodermatinae
Genus: Artibeus
Aztec fruit-eating bat, Artibeus aztecus LC
Hairy fruit-eating bat, Artibeus hirsutus LC
Jamaican fruit bat, Artibeus jamaicensis LC
Great fruit-eating bat, Artibeus lituratus LC
Pygmy fruit-eating bat, Artibeus phaeotis LC
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
Salvin's big-eyed bat, Chiroderma salvini LC
Hairy big-eyed bat, Chiroderma villosum LC
Genus: Enchisthenes
Velvety fruit-eating bat, Enchisthenes hartii LC
Genus: Platyrrhinus
Heller's broad-nosed bat, Platyrrhinus helleri LC
Genus: Sturnira
Little yellow-shouldered bat, Sturnira lilium LC
Highland yellow-shouldered bat, Sturnira ludovici LC
Genus: Uroderma
Tent-making bat, Uroderma bilobatum LC
Brown tent-making bat, Uroderma magnirostrum LC
Genus: Vampyressa
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
Genus: Natalus
Natalus lanatus LC
Mexican greater funnel-eared bat, Natalus mexicanus LC
Family: Thyropteridae
Genus: Thyroptera
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. Mexico has more native mephitids than any other country, with two thirds of extant species being present. Only Costa Rica and Panama have more procyonid species (one more) than Mexico (it is tied with Colombia in this respect). Large extinct carnivorans that lived in the area prior to the coming of humans include the saber-toothed cat Smilodon fatalis, the scimitar cat Homotherium serum, American lions, American cheetahs, dire wolves and short-faced bears.
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae (cats)
Subfamily: Felinae
Genus: Leopardus
Ocelot, Leopardus pardalis LC
Margay, Leopardus wiedii NT
Genus: Lynx
Bobcat, Lynx rufus LC
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: Canis
Coyote, Canis latrans LC
Mexican wolf, Canis lupus baileyi NE
Genus: Urocyon
Gray fox, Urocyon cinereoargenteus LC
Cozumel fox, Urocyon sp. nov. (possibly EX)
Genus: Vulpes
Kit fox, Vulpes macrotis LC
Family: Ursidae (bears)
Genus: Ursus
American black bear, Ursus americanus LC
Mexican grizzly bear, Ursus arctos nelsoni EX
Family: Mephitidae
Genus: Conepatus
American hog-nosed skunk, Conepatus leuconotus LC
Striped hog-nosed skunk, Conepatus semistriatus LC
Genus: Mephitis
Hooded skunk, Mephitis macroura LC
Striped skunk, Mephitis mephitis LC
Genus: Spilogale
Southern spotted skunk, Spilogale angustifrons LC
Western spotted skunk, Spilogale gracilis LC
Eastern spotted skunk, Spilogale putorius LC
Pygmy spotted skunk, Spilogale pygmaea VU
Family: Mustelidae (mustelids)
Genus: Eira
Tayra, Eira barbara LC
Genus: Enhydra
Sea otter, Enhydra lutris EN
Genus: Galictis
Greater grison, Galictis vittata LC
Genus: Lontra
Neotropical river otter, Lontra longicaudis DD
Genus: Mustela
Long-tailed weasel, Mustela frenata LC
Black-footed ferret, Mustela nigripes EN
Genus: Taxidea
American badger, Taxidea taxus LC
Family: Procyonidae (raccoons)
Genus: Bassariscus
Ringtail, Bassariscus astutus LC
Cacomistle, Bassariscus sumichrasti LC
Genus: Procyon
Common raccoon, Procyon lotor LC
Tres Marias raccoon, Procyon lotor insularis
Cozumel Island raccoon, Procyon pygmaeus CR
Genus: Nasua
White-nosed coati, Nasua narica LC
Cozumel Island coati, Nasua narica nelsoni EN
Genus: Potos
Kinkajou, Potos flavus LC
Clade Pinnipedia (seals, sea lions and walruses)
Family: Otariidae (eared seals, sea lions)
Genus: Arctocephalus
Guadalupe fur seal, Arctocephalus townsendi NT
Genus: Callorhinus
Northern fur seal, Callorhinus ursinus VU
Genus: Zalophus
California sea lion, Zalophus californianus LC
Family: Phocidae (earless seals)
Genus: Mirounga
Northern elephant seal, Mirounga angustirostris LC
Genus: Monachus
Caribbean monk seal, Monachus tropicalis EX
Genus: Phoca
Harbor seal, Phoca vitulina LC
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. Tapirids were more widespread before humans appeared, formerly being present in temperate North America as well as the tropical regions they are found in today. Native equids once lived in the region, having evolved in North America over a period of 50 million years, but died out around the time of the first arrival of humans, along with at least one ungulate of South American origin, the notoungulate, Mixotoxodon. Sequencing of collagen from a fossil of one recently extinct notoungulate has indicated that this order was closer to the perissodactyls than any extant mammal order.
Family: Tapiridae (tapirs)
Genus: Tapirus
Baird's tapir, Tapirus bairdii EN
Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates and cetaceans)
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 noncetacean artiodactyl species, including many that are of great economic importance to humans. All of Mexico's extant ungulates are of Nearctic origin. Prior to the arrival of humans, camelids, which evolved in North America, also lived in the region, as did additional antilocaprids (e.g., Capromeryx minor.
Family: Tayassuidae (peccaries)
Genus: Pecari
Collared peccary, Pecari tajacu LC
Genus: Tayassu
White-lipped peccary, Tayassu pecari NT
Family: Cervidae (deer)
Subfamily: Capreolinae
Genus: Mazama
Yucatan brown brocket, Mazama pandora VU
Central American red brocket, Mazama temama DD
Genus: Odocoileus
Mule deer, Odocoileus hemionus LC
White-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus LC
Family: Antilocapridae (pronghorn)
Genus: Antilocapra
Pronghorn, Antilocapra americana LC
Family: Bovidae (cattle, antelope, sheep, goats)
Genus: Bison
American bison, Bison bison NT
Subfamily: Caprinae
Genus: Ovis
Desert bighorn sheep, Ovis canadensis nelsoni LC
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. Lagoons on the coast of Baja California Sur provide calving grounds for the eastern Pacific population of gray whales. The vaquita of the northern Gulf of California is the world's smallest and most endangered cetacean.
Parvorder: Mysticeti
Family: Balaenopteridae
Subfamily: Balaenopterinae
Genus: Balaenoptera
Minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata LC
Sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis EN
Bryde's whale, Balaenoptera edeni DD (critically endangered population in Gulf of Mexico)
Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus EN
Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus EN
Subfamily: Megapterinae
Genus: Megaptera
Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae LC
Family: Eschrichtiidae
Genus: Eschrichtius
Eastern gray whale, Eschrichtius robustus LC
Atlantic gray whale, Eschrichtius robustus EX
Family: Balaenidae
Genus: Eubalaena
North Pacific right whale, Eubalaena japonica CR (extremely rare)
North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis CR (possibly seen historically)
Parvorder: Odontoceti
Family: Physeteridae (sperm whales)
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: Ziphius
Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris LC
Genus: Berardius
Baird's beaked whale, Berardius bairdii DD
Subfamily: Hyperoodontinae
Genus: Indopacetus
Tropical bottlenose whale, Indopacetus pacificus DD
Genus: Mesoplodon
Blainville's beaked whale, Mesoplodon densirostris DD
Gervais' beaked whale, Mesoplodon europaeus DD
Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, Mesoplodon ginkgodens DD
Pygmy beaked whale, Mesoplodon peruvianus DD
Superfamily: Delphinoidea
Family: Phocoenidae (porpoises)
Genus: Phocoena
Vaquita, Phocoena sinus CR
Genus: Phocoenoides
Dall's porpoise, Phocoenoides dalli LC
Family: Delphinidae (marine dolphins)
Genus: Steno
Rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis LC
Genus: Tursiops
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
Pacific white-sided dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obliquidens LC
Genus: Lissodelphis
Northern right whale dolphin, Lissodelphis borealis LC
Genus: Grampus
Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus LC
Genus: Peponocephala
Melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra LC
Genus: Feresa
Pygmy killer whale, Feresa attenuata DD
Genus: Pseudorca
False killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens DD
Genus: Orcinus
Orca, Orcinus orca DD
Genus: Globicephala
Short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus DD
List of mammals of Greenland
List of mammals of Antarctica