List of mammals of Nigeria

Last updated

This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Nigeria. Of the mammal species in Nigeria, one is critically endangered, thirteen are endangered, sixteen are vulnerable, and ten are near threatened. One of the species listed for Nigeria can no longer be found in the wild. [1]

Contents

The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature:

EXExtinctNo reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
EWExtinct in the wildKnown only to survive in captivity or as a naturalized populations well outside its previous range.
CRCritically endangeredThe species is in imminent risk of extinction in the wild.
ENEndangeredThe species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
VUVulnerableThe species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
NTNear threatenedThe species does not meet any of the criteria that would categorise it as risking extinction but it is likely to do so in the future.
LCLeast concernThere are no current identifiable risks to the species.
DDData deficientThere is inadequate information to make an assessment of the risks to this species.

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:

LR/cdLower risk/conservation dependentSpecies which were the focus of conservation programmes and may have moved into a higher risk category if that programme was discontinued.
LR/ntLower risk/near threatenedSpecies which are close to being classified as vulnerable but are not the subject of conservation programmes.
LR/lcLower risk/least concernSpecies for which there are no identifiable risks.

Order: Afrosoricida (tenrecs and golden moles)

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.

Order: Tubulidentata (aardvarks)

Aardvark Orycteropus afer01.jpg
Aardvark

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.

Order: Hyracoidea (hyraxes)

Cape hyrax Dassie3.jpg
Cape hyrax

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 stumpy tail. They are native to Africa and the Middle East.

Order: Proboscidea (elephants)

African bush elephant African Bush Elephant Mikumi.jpg
African bush elephant

The elephants comprise three living species and are the largest living land animals.

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.

Order: Primates

Senegal bushbaby Galago senegalensis.jpg
Senegal bushbaby

The order Primates contains humans and their closest relatives: lemurs, lorisoids, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes.

Order: Rodentia (rodents)

Rodents make up the largest order of mammals, with over 40% of mammalian species. They have two incisors in the upper and lower jaw which grow continually and must be kept short by gnawing. Most rodents are small though the capybara can weigh up to 45 kg (99 lb).

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.

Order: Erinaceomorpha (hedgehogs and gymnures)

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.

Order: Soricomorpha (shrews, moles, and solenodons)

The "shrew-forms" are insectivorous mammals. The shrews and solenodons closely resemble mice while the moles are stout-bodied burrowers.

Order: Chiroptera (bats)

The bats' most distinguishing feature is that their forelimbs are developed as wings, making them the only mammals capable of flight. Bat species account for about 20% of all mammals.

Order: Pholidota (pangolins)

The order Pholidota comprises the eight species of pangolin. Pangolins are anteaters (not to be confused with the taxonomical anteaters) and have the powerful claws, elongated snout and long tongue seen in the other unrelated anteater species.

Order: Cetacea (whales)

Spinner dolphins SpinnerDolphinsoffKauai 1999-03-15.jpg
Spinner dolphins

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.

Order: Carnivora (carnivorans)

Lion West African male lion.jpg
Lion
African leopard African Leopard 5.JPG
African leopard
Common genet Genette-drawing.jpg
Common genet
Banded mongoose Mongoose.jpg
Banded mongoose
African golden wolf Golden wolf sa02.jpg
African golden wolf

There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which feed primarily on meat. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.

Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)

Pygmy hippopotamus Zwergflusspferd - Pygmy Hippopotamus - Hexaprotodon liberiensis.jpg
Pygmy hippopotamus
Hartebeest Hardebeest.jpg
Hartebeest
Dorcas gazelle Gazella-dorcas.jpg
Dorcas gazelle
Giant eland Tragelaphus strepsiceros 2.jpg
Giant eland
Yellow-backed duiker Cephalophus sylvicultor sylvicultor2.jpg
Yellow-backed duiker
Scimitar oryx Oryx Dammah.jpg
Scimitar oryx
Kob Uganda-Kob.jpg
Kob
Mountain reedbuck Mountain Reedbuck, Redunca flavorufula at Borakalalo National Park, South Africa (10001341816).jpg
Mountain reedbuck

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.

See also

References

  1. This list is derived from the IUCN Red List which lists species of mammals and includes those mammals that have recently been classified as extinct (since 1500 AD). The taxonomy and naming of the individual species is based on those used in existing Wikipedia articles as of 21 May 2007 and supplemented by the common names and taxonomy from the IUCN, Smithsonian Institution, or University of Michigan where no Wikipedia article was available.
  2. Taylor, A. & Lehmann, T. (2015). "Orycteropus afer". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T41504A21286437.
  3. Butynski, T.; Hoeck, H.; Koren, L. & de Jong, Y.A. (2015). "Procavia capensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T41766A21285876.
  4. Gobush, K.S.; Edwards, C.T.T.; Balfour, D.; Wittemyer, G.; Maisels, F.; Taylor, R.D. (2021). "Loxodonta africana". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T181008073A204401095. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-2.RLTS.T181008073A204401095.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  5. Gobush, K.S.; Edwards, C.T.T.; Maisels, F.; Wittemyer, G.; Balfour, D.; Taylor, R.D. (2021). "Loxodonta cyclotis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2021: e.T181007989A204404464. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T181007989A204404464.en . Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  6. Johnston, C.H.; Robinson, T.J.; Relton, C.; Child, M.F. & Smith, A.T. (2019). "Lepus victoriae". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T41879A45194215.
  7. Gazaryan, S.; Bücs, S. & Çoraman, E. (2020). "Miniopterus schreibersii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T81633057A151216401.
  8. Benda, P. (2017). "Rhinopoma cystops". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T82345555A82345569.
  9. Ingram, D.J.; Shirley, M.H.; Pietersen, D.; Godwill Ichu, I.; Sodeinde, O.; Moumbolou, C.; Hoffmann, M.; Gudehus, M. & Challender, D. (2019). "Phataginus tetradactyla". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T12766A123586126.
  10. Pietersen, D.; Moumbolou, C.; Ingram, D.J.; Soewu, D.; Jansen, R.; Sodeinde, O.; Keboy Mov Linkey Iflankoy, C.; Challender, D. & Shirley, M.H. (2019). "Phataginus tricuspis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T12767A123586469.
  11. Nixon, S.; Pietersen, D.; Challender, D.; Hoffmann, M.; Godwill Ichu, I.; Bruce, T.; Ingram, D.J.; Matthews, N. & Shirley, M.H. (2019). "Smutsia gigantea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T12762A123584478.
  12. Taylor, B.L.; Baird, R.; Barlow, J.; Dawson, S.M.; Ford, J.K.B.; Mead, J.G.; Notarbartolo di Sciara, G.; Wade, P. & Pitman, R.L. (2012). "Kogia breviceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2012: e.T11047A17692192.
  13. Reeves, R.; Pitman, R.L. & Ford, J.K.B. (2017). "Orcinus orca". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T15421A50368125.
  14. Bahaa-el-din, L.; Mills, D.; Hunter, L. & Henschel, P. (2015). "Caracal aurata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T18306A50663128.
  15. Avgan, B.; Henschel, P. & Ghoddousi, A. (2016). "Caracal caracal". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T3847A102424310.
  16. Thiel, C. (2015). "Leptailurus serval". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T11638A50654625.
  17. Bauer, H.; Packer, C.; Funston, P. F.; Henschel, P. & Nowell, K. (2016). "Panthera leo". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T15951A115130419.
  18. Stein, A.B.; Athreya, V.; Gerngross, P.; Balme, G.; Henschel, P.; Karanth, U.; Miquelle, D.; Rostro-Garcia, S.; Kamler, J. F.; Laguardia, A.; Khorozyan, I. & Ghoddousi, A. (2019). "Panthera pardus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T15954A160698029.
  19. Do Linh San, E.; Gaubert, P.; Wondmagegne, D. & Ray, J. (2015). "Civettictis civetta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T41695A45218199.
  20. Gaubert, P.; Angelici, F.M. & Do Linh San, E. (2015). "Genetta cristata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T8998A45198406.
  21. Gaubert, P.; Carvalho, F.; Camps, D. & Do Linh San, E. (2015). "Genetta genetta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T41698A45218636.
  22. Angelici, F.M.; Gaubert, P. & Do Linh San, E. (2016). "Genetta maculata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T41699A45218948.
  23. Gaubert, P. & Do Linh San, E. (2015). "Genetta thierryi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T41701A45219325.
  24. Gaubert, P.; Bahaa-el-din, L.; Ray, J. & Do Linh San, E. (2015). "Nandinia binotata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T41589A45204645.
  25. Do Linh San, E.; Angelici, F. M.; Maddock, A. H.; Baker, C. M. & Ray, J. (2015). "Atilax paludinosus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T41590A45204865.
  26. Angelici, F. M. & Do Linh San, E. (2015). "Bdeogale nigripes". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T41592A45205243.
  27. Angelici, F. M. & Do Linh San, E. (2016). "Crossarchus platycephalus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T41596A45205626.
  28. Do Linh San, E.; Maddock, A.H.; Gaubert, P. & Palomares, F. (2016). "Herpestes ichneumon". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T41613A45207211.
  29. Do Linh San, E. & Maddock, A.H. (2016). "Herpestes sanguineus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T41606A45206143.
  30. Do Linh San, E. (2015). "Ichneumia albicauda". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T41620A45208640.
  31. Sillero-Zubiri, C. & Do Linh San, E. (2016). "Mungos gambianus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T13922A45199653.
  32. Gilchrist, J.S. & Do Linh San, E. (2016). "Mungos mungo". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T41621A45208886.
  33. Ray, J.; Bahaa-el-din, L.; Angelici, F. M. & Do Linh San, E. (2015). "Herpestes naso". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T41615A45207915.
  34. Bohm, T. & Höner, O.R. (2015). "Crocuta crocuta". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T5674A45194782.
  35. AbiSaid, M. & Dloniak, S.M.D. (2015). "Hyaena hyaena". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T10274A45195080.
  36. Sillero-Zubiri, C. & Wacher, T. (2012). "Vulpes pallida". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2012: e.T23052A16813736.
  37. Hoffmann, M. & Atickem, A. (2019). "Canis lupaster". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T118264888A118265889.
  38. Woodroffe, R. & Sillero-Zubiri, C. (2020). "Lycaon pictus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020: e.T12436A166502262.
  39. Ahmim, M. & Do Linh San, E. (2015). "Ictonyx libyca". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T41645A45212347.
  40. Stuart, C.; Stuart, M.; Do Linh San, E. (2015). "Ictonyx striatus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T41646A45212491.
  41. Do Linh San, E.; Begg, C.; Begg, K. & Abramov, A. V. (2016). "Mellivora capensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016: e.T41629A45210107.
  42. Reed-Smith, J.; Jacques, H. & Somers, M.J. (2015). "Hydrictis maculicollis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T12420A21936042.
  43. Jacques, H.; Reed-Smith & Somers, M.J. (2015). "Aonyx capensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T1793A21938767.
  44. Jacques, H.; Reed-Smith, J.; Davenport, C.; Somers, M.J. (2015). "Aonyx congicus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015: e.T1794A14164772.
  45. Lewison, R. & Pluháček, J. (2017). "Hippopotamus amphibius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017: e.T10103A18567364.
  46. IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2019). "Alcelaphus buselaphus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T811A143160967.
  47. IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2019). "Syncerus caffer". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019: e.T21251A50195031.