This is a list of the native living mammals of New Zealand. It does not include introduced species, nor extinct Saint Bathans fauna. There are around 51 native mammal species in New Zealand, of which three are critically endangered, three are endangered, three are vulnerable, and one is near threatened.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.
The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature: Extinct No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. Extinct in the wild Known only to survive in captivity or as a naturalized populations well outside its previous range. Critically endangered The species is in imminent risk of extinction in the wild. Endangered The species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Vulnerable The species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. Near threatened The 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. Least concern There are no current identifiable risks to the species. Data deficient There is inadequate information to make an assessment of the risks to this species.
Order: Chiroptera (bats)
The most distinguishing feature of bats 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. Three species are found in New Zealand, of which one is extinct.
Family: Mystacinidae Genus: Mystacina New Zealand greater short-tailed bat, M. robusta , possibly New Zealand lesser short-tailed bat, M. tuberculata Family: Vespertilionidae Subfamily: Vespertilioninae Genus: Chalinolobus New Zealand long-tailed bat, Chalinolobus tuberculatus
Order: Cetacea (whales, dolphins and porpoises)
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. New Zealand is the first country in the world to protect marine mammals by law. Around 39 species of cetaceans have been recorded in New Zealand.
Suborder: Mysticeti Family: Balaenidae Genus: Eubalaena Southern right whale, Eubalaena australis Family: Balaenopteridae Subfamily: Balaenopterinae Genus: Balaenoptera Southern minke whale, Balaenoptera bonaerensis Dwarf minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata ssp. Bryde's whale, Balaenoptera edeni Sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus Subfamily: Megapterinae Genus: Megaptera Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae Family: Neobalaenidae Genus: Caperea Pygmy right whale, Caperea marginata Suborder: Odontoceti Superfamily: Platanistoidea Family: Physeteridae Genus: Physeter Sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus Family: Kogiidae Genus: Kogia Pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps Dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima Family: Ziphidae Genus: Ziphius Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris Genus: Berardius Arnoux's beaked whale, Berardius arnuxii Genus: Tasmacetus Shepherd's beaked whale, Tasmacetus shepherdi Subfamily: Hyperoodontinae Genus: Hyperoodon Southern bottlenose whale, Hyperoodon planifrons Genus: Mesoplodon Andrews' beaked whale, Mesoplodon bowdoini Blainville's beaked whale, Mesoplodon densirostris Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, Mesoplodon ginkgodens Gray's beaked whale, Mesoplodon grayi Hector's beaked whale, Mesoplodon hectori Spade-toothed whale, Mesoplodon traversii Layard's beaked whale, Mesoplodon layardii Family: Delphinidae (marine dolphins) Genus: Cephalorhynchus Hector's dolphin, Cephalorhynchus hectori Maui's dolphin, Cephalorhynchus hectori maui Family: Phocoenidae (marine dolphins) Genus: Phocoena Spectacled porpoise, Phocoena dioptrica Genus: Steno Rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis vagrant Genus: Tursiops Common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus Genus: Stenella Pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata vagrant Striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba (southernmost record of the species occurred in 2017)Stuff.co.nz. 2017. Rare striped dolphin stranding on Otago beach. Retrieved on September 26, 2017 Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris vagrant Genus: Delphinus Common dolphin, Delphinus delphis Genus: Lagenorhynchus Hourglass dolphin, Lagenorhynchus cruciger Dusky dolphin, Lagenorhynchus obscurus Genus: Lissodelphis Southern right whale dolphin, Lissodelphis peronii Genus: Grampus Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus Genus: Pseudorca False killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens Genus: Orcinus Orca, Orcinus orca Genus: Globicephala Short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus Long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas
Order: Carnivora (carnivorans)
Most carnivorans feed primarily on meat. They have distinctive skull shape and teeth. Eight species are found in New Zealand, all of which are pinnipeds. Suborder: Caniformia Family: Otariidae (eared seals, sealions) Genus: Arctocephalus New Zealand fur seal, A. forsteri Subantarctic fur seal, A. tropicalis vagrant Genus: Phocarctos New Zealand sea lion, P. hookeri Family: Phocidae (earless seals) Genus: Hydrurga Leopard seal, H. leptonyx Genus: Leptonychotes Weddell seal, L. weddellii vagrant Genus: Lobodon Crabeater seal, L. carcinophaga vagrant Genus: Ommatophoca Ross seal, O. rossii vagrant Genus: Mirounga Southern elephant seal, M. leonina
See also Fauna of New Zealand Mammals of New Zealand Pacific Islands Cetaceans Memorandum of Understanding
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