This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Rwanda. There are 189 mammal species in Rwanda, of which 2 are critically endangered, 4 are endangered, 11 are vulnerable, and 5 are near-threatened.
The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the World Conservation Union:
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 (hylaxes)
Genus: Dendrohyrax
Western tree hyrax Dendrohyrax dorsalis LC
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
African forest elephant Loxodonta cyclotis EN
The order Primates contains humans and their closest relatives: lemurs, lorisoids, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes.
Suborder: Strepsirrhini
Infraorder: Lemuriformes
Superfamily: Lorisoidea
Family: Lorisidae (lorises, bushbabies)
Genus: Perodicticus
Potto Perodicticus potto LR/lc
Family: Galagidae
Genus: Galago
Dusky bushbaby Galago matschiei LR/nt
Mohol bushbaby Galago moholi LR/lc
Senegal bushbaby Galago senegalensis LR/lc
Genus: Galagoides
Thomas's bushbaby Galagoides thomasi LR/lc
Prince Demidoff's bushbaby Galagoides demidovii LR/lc
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
Tantalus monkey Chlorocebus tantalus LR/lc
Genus: Cercopithecus
Red-tailed monkey Cercopithecus ascanius LR/lc
Hamlyn's monkey Cercopithecus hamlyni LR/nt
L'Hoest's monkey Cercopithecus lhoesti LR/nt
Blue monkey Cercopithecus mitis LR/lc
Genus: Lophocebus
Grey-cheeked mangabey Lophocebus albigena LR/lc
Genus: Papio
Olive baboon Papio anubis LR/lc
Subfamily: Colobinae
Genus: Colobus
Angola colobus Colobus angolensis LR/lc
Mantled guereza Colobus guereza LR/lc
Superfamily: Hominoidea
Family: Hominidae (humans)
Subfamily: Homininae
Tribe: Gorillini
Genus: Gorilla
Eastern gorilla Gorilla beringei EN
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: Hystricidae (Old World porcupines)
Genus: Hystrix
Cape porcupine Hystrix africaeaustralis LC
Family: Thryonomyidae (cane rats)
Genus: Thryonomys
Greater cane rat Thryonomys swinderianus LC
Suborder: Sciurognathi
Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
Subfamily: Xerinae
Tribe: Xerini
Genus: Xerus
Striped ground squirrel Xerus erythropus LC
Tribe: Protoxerini
Genus: Funisciurus
Carruther's mountain squirrel Funisciurus carruthersi LC
Genus: Heliosciurus
Red-legged sun squirrel Heliosciurus rufobrachium LC
Ruwenzori sun squirrel Heliosciurus ruwenzorii LC
Genus: Paraxerus
Boehm's bush squirrel Paraxerus boehmi LC
Genus: Protoxerus
Forest giant squirrel Protoxerus stangeri LC
Family: Spalacidae
Subfamily: Tachyoryctinae
Genus: Tachyoryctes
Ruanda mole-rat Tachyoryctes ruandae LC
Family: Nesomyidae
Subfamily: Delanymyinae
Genus: Delanymys
Delany's swamp mouse Delanymys brooksi EN
Subfamily: Dendromurinae
Genus: Dendromus
Remarkable climbing mouse Dendromus insignis LC
Kivu climbing mouse Dendromus kivu LC
Gray climbing mouse Dendromus melanotis LC
Chestnut climbing mouse Dendromus mystacalis LC
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: Deomys
Link rat Deomys ferrugineus LC
Genus: Lophuromys
Medium-tailed brush-furred rat Lophuromys medicaudatus NT
Rahm's brush-furred rat Lophuromys rahmi NT
Woosnam's brush-furred rat Lophuromys woosnami LC
Subfamily: Otomyinae
Genus: Otomys
Tropical vlei rat Otomys tropicalis LC
Subfamily: Gerbillinae
Genus: Tatera
Boehm's gerbil Tatera boehmi LC
Kemp's gerbil Tatera kempi LC
Savanna gerbil Tatera valida LC
Subfamily: Murinae
Genus: Aethomys
Hinde's rock rat Aethomys hindei LC
Kaiser's rock rat Aethomys kaiseri LC
Genus: Colomys
African wading rat Colomys goslingi LC
Genus: Grammomys
Woodland thicket rat Grammomys dolichurus LC
Shining thicket rat Grammomys rutilans LC
Genus: Hybomys
Moon striped mouse Hybomys lunaris VU
Peters's striped mouse Hybomys univittatus LC
Genus: Hylomyscus
Montane wood mouse Hylomyscus denniae LC
Stella wood mouse Hylomyscus stella LC
Genus: Lemniscomys
Buffoon striped grass mouse Lemniscomys macculus LC
Typical striped grass mouse Lemniscomys striatus LC
Genus: Mastomys
Guinea multimammate mouse Mastomys erythroleucus LC
Natal multimammate mouse Mastomys natalensis LC
Dwarf multimammate mouse Mastomys pernanus DD
Genus: Mus
Toad mouse Mus bufo LC
African pygmy mouse Mus minutoides LC
Thomas's pygmy mouse Mus sorella LC
Gray-bellied pygmy mouse Mus triton LC
Genus: Mylomys
African groove-toothed rat Mylomys dybowskii LC
Genus: Oenomys
Common rufous-nosed rat Oenomys hypoxanthus LC
Genus: Pelomys
Creek groove-toothed swamp rat Pelomys fallax LC
Hopkins's groove-toothed swamp rat Pelomys hopkinsi VU
Genus: Praomys
De Graaff's soft-furred mouse Praomys degraaffi VU
Jackson's soft-furred mouse Praomys jacksoni LC
Genus: Thamnomys
Kemp's thicket rat Thamnomys kempi VU
Charming thicket rat Thamnomys venustus NT
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: Poelagus
Bunyoro rabbit Poelagus marjorita LR/lc
Genus: Lepus
Cape hare Lepus capensis LR/lc
African savanna hare Lepus microtis 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
Bicolored musk shrew Crocidura fuscomurina LC
Hildegarde's shrew Crocidura hildegardeae LC
Jackson's shrew Crocidura jacksoni LC
Kivu long-haired shrew Crocidura lanosa VU
Moonshine shrew Crocidura luna LC
African black shrew Crocidura nigrofusca LC
Small-footed shrew Crocidura parvipes LC
Roosevelt's shrew Crocidura roosevelti LC
Turbo shrew Crocidura turba LC
Genus: Paracrocidura
Greater large-headed shrew Paracrocidura maxima NT
Genus: Ruwenzorisorex
Ruwenzori shrew Ruwenzorisorex suncoides VU
Genus: Scutisorex
Armored shrew Scutisorex somereni LC
Genus: Sylvisorex
Grant's forest shrew Sylvisorex granti LC
Johnston's forest shrew Sylvisorex johnstoni LC
Moon forest shrew Sylvisorex lunaris LC
Climbing shrew Sylvisorex megalura LC
Volcano shrew Sylvisorex vulcanorum 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
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
Franquet's epauletted fruit bat Epomops franqueti LC
Genus: Lissonycteris
Angolan rousette Lissonycteris angolensis LC
Genus: Micropteropus
Peters's dwarf epauletted fruit bat Micropteropus pusillus LC
Genus: Myonycteris
Little collared fruit bat Myonycteris torquata LC
Genus: Rousettus
Egyptian fruit bat Rousettus aegyptiacus LC
Long-haired rousette Rousettus lanosus LC
Family: Vespertilionidae
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: Glauconycteris
Silvered bat Glauconycteris argentata LC
Butterfly bat Glauconycteris variegata LC
Genus: Neoromicia
Banana pipistrelle Neoromicia nanus LC
Rendall's serotine Neoromicia rendalli LC
Somali serotine Neoromicia somalicus LC
White-winged serotine Neoromicia tenuipinnis LC
Genus: Pipistrellus
Rüppell's pipistrelle Pipistrellus rueppelli LC
Genus: Scotophilus
African yellow bat Scotophilus dinganii LC
Nut-colored yellow bat Scotophilus nux LC
Subfamily: Miniopterinae
Genus: Miniopterus
Lesser long-fingered bat Miniopterus fraterculus LC
Greater long-fingered bat Miniopterus inflatus LC
Family: Molossidae
Genus: Chaerephon
Gland-tailed free-tailed bat Chaerephon bemmeleni LC
Spotted free-tailed bat Chaerephon bivittata LC
Little free-tailed bat Chaerephon pumila LC
Genus: Mops
Angolan free-tailed bat Mops condylurus LC
Midas free-tailed bat Mops midas LC
Railer bat Mops thersites LC
Genus: Otomops
Large-eared free-tailed bat Otomops martiensseni NT
Genus: Tadarida
Madagascan large free-tailed bat Tadarida fulminans LC
Family: Nycteridae
Genus: Nycteris
Bate's slit-faced bat Nycteris arge LC
Hairy slit-faced bat Nycteris hispida LC
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
Geoffroy's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus clivosus LC
Eloquent horseshoe bat Rhinolophus eloquens DD
Rüppell's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus fumigatus LC
Hildebrandt's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hildebrandti LC
Hill's horseshoe bat CR
Lander's horseshoe bat Rhinolophus landeri LC
Ruwenzori horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ruwenzorii VU
Subfamily: Hipposiderinae
Genus: Hipposideros
Sundevall's roundleaf bat Hipposideros caffer LC
Cyclops roundleaf bat Hipposideros cyclops LC
Noack's roundleaf bat Hipposideros ruber 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
Ground pangolin Manis temminckii LR/nt
Long-tailed pangolin Manis tetradactyla LR/lc
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: Felis
Wildcat Felis silvestris LC
Genus: Acinonyx
Tanzanian cheetah Acinonyx jubatus raineyi VU
Genus: Leptailurus
Serval Leptailurus serval LC
Genus: Profelis
African golden cat Profelis aurata VU
Subfamily: Pantherinae
Genus: Panthera
Congo lion Panthera leo azandica 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
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: Herpestes
Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon LR/lc
Genus: Mungos
Banded mongoose Mungos mungo LR/lc
Family: Hyaenidae (hyaenas)
Genus: Crocuta
Spotted hyena Crocuta crocuta LR/cd
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
Oriental small-clawed otter Aonyx congicus DD
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
Grant's zebra Equus quagga boehmi NT
Family: Rhinocerotidae
Genus: Diceros
Eastern black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis michaeli 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: Hylochoerus
Giant forest hog Hylochoerus meinertzhageni LR/lc
Genus: Potamochoerus
Bushpig Potamochoerus larvatus LR/lc
Family: Hippopotamidae (hippopotamuses)
Genus: Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus Hippopotamus amphibius VU
Family: Giraffidae (giraffes and okapis)
Genus: Giraffa
Masai giraffe Giraffa tippelskirchi VU
Family: Tragulidae
Genus: Hyemoschus
Water chevrotain Hyemoschus aquaticus DD
Family: Bovidae (cattle, antelope, sheep, goats)
Subfamily: Alcelaphinae
Genus: Damaliscus
Topi Damaliscus lunatus LR/cd
Subfamily: Antilopinae
Genus: Oreotragus
Klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus LR/cd
Genus: Ourebia
Oribi Ourebia ourebi LR/cd
Subfamily: Bovinae
Genus: Syncerus
African buffalo Syncerus caffer LR/cd
Genus: Tragelaphus
Common eland Tragelaphus oryx LR/cd
Bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus LR/lc
Sitatunga Tragelaphus spekii LR/nt
Subfamily: Cephalophinae
Genus: Cephalophus
Peters's duiker Cephalophus callipygus LR/nt
Blue duiker Cephalophus monticola LR/lc
Black-fronted duiker Cephalophus nigrifrons LR/nt
Yellow-backed duiker Cephalophus silvicultor LR/nt
Weyns's duiker Cephalophus weynsi LR/nt
Genus: Sylvicapra
Common duiker Sylvicapra grimmia LR/lc
Subfamily: Hippotraginae
Genus: Hippotragus
Roan antelope Hippotragus equinus LR/cd
Subfamily: Aepycerotinae
Genus: Aepyceros
Impala Aepyceros melampus LR/cd
Subfamily: Reduncinae
Genus: Kobus
Waterbuck Kobus ellipsiprymnus LR/cd
Genus: Redunca
Bohor reedbuck Redunca redunca LR/cd
