This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Mozambique. These are the mammal species in Mozambique, of which 2 are critically endangered, 2 are endangered, 11 are vulnerable, and 10 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 Afrosoricida contains the golden moles of southern Africa and the tenrecs of Madagascar and Africa, two families of small mammals that were traditionally part of the order Insectivora.
Family: Chrysochloridae
Subfamily: Chrysochlorinae
Genus: Carpitalpa
Arends's golden mole Carpitalpa arendsi VU
Subfamily: Amblysominae
Genus: Calcochloris
Yellow golden mole Calcochloris obtusirostris LC
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
Eastern rock elephant shrew Elephantulus myurus LC
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: Dendrohyrax
Southern tree hyrax Dendrohyrax arboreus LC
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
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
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
Grant's bushbaby Galagoides granti DD
Malawi bushbaby Galagoides nyasae DD
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
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
Mashona mole-rat Cryptomys darlingi LC
Common mole-rat Cryptomys hottentotus 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
Greater cane rat Thryonomys swinderianus LC
Suborder: Sciurognathi
Family: Anomaluridae
Subfamily: Anomalurinae
Genus: Anomalurus
Lord Derby's scaly-tailed squirrel Anomalurus derbianus LC
Family: Pedetidae (spring hare)
Genus: Pedetes
Springhare Pedetes capensis 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
Red bush squirrel Paraxerus palliatus LC
Vincent's bush squirrel Paraxerus vincenti CR
Family: Gliridae (dormice)
Subfamily: Graphiurinae
Genus: Graphiurus
Small-eared dormouse Graphiurus microtis LC
Rock dormouse Graphiurus platyops 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
Tiny fat mouse Steatomys parvus LC
Fat mouse Steatomys pratensis LC
Subfamily: Cricetomyinae
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
Vlei rat Otomys irroratus LC
Subfamily: Gerbillinae
Genus: Gerbillurus
Hairy-footed gerbil Gerbillurus paeba LC
Genus: Tatera
Boehm's gerbil Tatera boehmi LC
Gorongoza gerbil Tatera inclusa LC
Bushveld gerbil Tatera leucogaster LC
Subfamily: Murinae
Genus: Aethomys
Red rock rat Aethomys chrysophilus LC
Namaqua rock rat Aethomys namaquensis LC
Silinda rock rat Aethomys silindensis VU
Genus: Grammomys
Mozambique thicket rat Grammomys cometes LC
Woodland thicket rat Grammomys dolichurus LC
Genus: Lemniscomys
Single-striped grass mouse Lemniscomys rosalia LC
Genus: Mastomys
Southern multimammate mouse Mastomys coucha LC
Natal multimammate mouse Mastomys natalensis LC
Genus: Mus
African pygmy mouse Mus minutoides LC
Neave's mouse Mus neavei DD
Gray-bellied pygmy mouse Mus triton 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
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
Natal red rock hare Pronolagus crassicaudatus LR/lc
Jameson's red rock hare Pronolagus randensis LR/lc
Genus: Lepus
Cape hare Lepus capensis 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: Crocidura
Reddish-gray musk shrew Crocidura cyanea LC
Greater red musk shrew Crocidura flavescens LC
Bicolored musk shrew Crocidura fuscomurina LC
Lesser red musk shrew Crocidura hirta LC
Moonshine shrew Crocidura luna LC
Swamp musk shrew Crocidura mariquensis LC
African giant shrew Crocidura olivieri LC
Lesser gray-brown musk shrew Crocidura silacea LC
Genus: Suncus
Lesser dwarf shrew Suncus varilla LC
Genus: Sylvisorex
Climbing shrew Sylvisorex megalura LC
Subfamily: Myosoricinae
Genus: Myosorex
Dark-footed mouse shrew Myosorex cafer LC
Thin mouse shrew Myosorex tenuis DD
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: Lissonycteris
Harrison's fruit bat Lissonycteris goliath VU
Genus: Rousettus
Egyptian fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus LC
Family: Vespertilionidae
Subfamily: Kerivoulinae
Genus: Kerivoula
Damara woolly bat Kerivoula argentata 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
Butterfly bat Glauconycteris variegata LC
Genus: Mimetillus
Moloney's mimic bat Mimetillus moloneyi 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
Genus: Nyctalus
Common noctule Nyctalus noctula LR/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
Greater long-fingered bat Miniopterus inflatus LC
Natal long-fingered bat Miniopterus natalensis NT
Family: Molossidae
Genus: Chaerephon
Spotted free-tailed bat Chaerephon bivittata LC
Nigerian free-tailed bat Chaerephon nigeriae LC
Little free-tailed bat Chaerephon pumila LC
Genus: Mops
Sierra Leone free-tailed bat Mops brachypterus LC
Angolan free-tailed bat Mops condylurus LC
Midas free-tailed bat Mops midas LC
Genus: Sauromys
Roberts's flat-headed bat Sauromys petrophilus LC
Genus: Tadarida
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
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
Vinson's slit-faced bat Nycteris vinsoni DD
Wood's slit-faced bat Nycteris woodi NT
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
Swinny's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus swinnyi
Mount Mabu horseshoe batRhinolophus mabuensis
Smithers' horseshoe batRhinolophus smithersi
Mozambican horseshoe batRhinolophus mossambicus
NT
Subfamily: Hipposiderinae
Genus: Cloeotis
Percival's trident bat Cloeotis percivali VU
Genus: Hipposideros
Sundevall's roundleaf bat Hipposideros caffer LC
Commerson's roundleaf bat Hipposideros marungensis 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
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: Eubalaena
Southern right whale Eubalaena australis LR/cd (still very rare in Mozambique)
Family: Balaenopteridae
Subfamily: Balaenopterinae
Genus: Balaenoptera
Southern blue whale Balaenoptera musculus intermedia EN
Pygmy blue whale Balaenoptera musculus brevicauda DD
Southern fin whale Balaenoptera physalus quoyi EN
Southern sei whale Balaenoptera borealis schlegelii EN
Bryde's whale Balaenoptera edeni DD</span
Antarctic minke whale Balaenoptera bonaerensis DD
Subfamily: Megapterinae
Genus: Megaptera
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae VU
Suborder: Odontoceti
Superfamily: Platanistoidea
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
Subfamily: Hyperoodontinae
Genus: Mesoplodon
Blainville's beaked whale Mesoplodon densirostris DD
Gray's beaked whale Mesoplodon grayi DD
Hector's beaked whale Mesoplodon hectori DD
Layard's beaked whale Mesoplodon layardii DD
True's beaked whale Mesoplodon mirus DD
Family: Delphinidae (marine dolphins)
Genus: Steno
Rough-toothed dolphin Steno bredanensis DD
Genus: Sousa
Indian humpback dolphin Sousa chinensis DD
Genus: Tursiops
Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin Tursiops aduncus DD
Common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus DD
Genus: Stenella
Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba LR/cd
Spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris LR/cd
Pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata LR/cd
Genus: Lagenodelphis
Fraser's dolphin Lagenodelphis hosei DD
Genus: Lissodelphis
Southern right whale dolphin Lissodelphis peronii DD
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: Globicephala
Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhynchus LR/cd
Genus: Orcinus
Orca Orcinus orca 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.
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae (cats)
Subfamily: Felinae
Genus: Acinonyx
South African cheetah Acinonyx jubatus jubatus VU
Genus: Caracal
Caracal Caracal caracal LC
Genus: Felis
Southern African wildcat Felis silvestris cafra LC
Genus: Leptailurus
Serval Leptailurus serval LC
Subfamily: Pantherinae
Genus: Panthera
Transvaal lion Panthera leo krugeri VU
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
Common genet Genetta genetta 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: 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: Ichneumia
White-tailed mongoose Ichneumia albicauda 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
Genus: Proteles
Aardwolf Proteles cristatus LR/lc
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Canidae (dogs, foxes)
Genus: Canis
Side-striped jackal Canis adustus LC
Black-backed jackal Canis mesomelas LC
Genus: Otocyon
Bat-eared fox Otocyon megalotis LC
Genus: Lycaon
Cape wild dog Lycaon pictus pictus 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
Family: Otariidae (eared seals, sealions)
Genus: Arctocephalus
Cape fur seal Arctocephalus pusillus LR/lc
Family: Phocidae (earless seals)
Genus: Mirounga
Southern elephant seal Mirounga leonina LR/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 NT
Selous' zebra Equus quagga selousi CR
Family: Rhinocerotidae
Genus: Diceros
South-central black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis minor CR
Genus: Ceratotherium
Southern white rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum simum NT
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: Giraffidae (giraffe, okapi)
Genus: Giraffa
South African giraffe Giraffa giraffa giraffa 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
Genus: Damaliscus
Topi Damaliscus lunatus LC - regionally extinct
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
Steenbok Raphicerus campestris LR/lc
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
Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii LR/nt
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
Genus: Redunca
Southern reedbuck Redunca arundinum LR/cd
Mountain reedbuck Redunca fulvorufula LC
