This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Malta. There are twenty mammal species in Malta, of which one is critically endangered.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.
Order: Eulipotyphla (hedgehogs, shrews and moles) Hedgehogs are easily recognised by their spines, shrews closely resemble mice, and moles are stout-bodied burrowers.
Family: Erinaceidae (hedgehogs) Subfamily: Erinaceinae Genus: Atelerix North African hedgehog, A. algirus Family: Soricidae (shrews) Subfamily: Crocidurinae Genus: Crocidura Sicilian shrew, Crocidura sicula Genus: Suncus Etruscan shrew, Suncus etruscus
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.
Family: Vespertilionidae Subfamily: Myotinae Genus: Myotis Greater mouse-eared bat, Myotis myotis Felten's myotis, Myotis punicus Subfamily: Vespertilioninae Genus: Nyctalus Common noctule, Nyctalus noctula Genus: Pipistrellus Kuhl's pipistrelle, Pipistrellus kuhlii Common pipistrelle, Pipistrellus pipistrellus Genus: Plecotus Grey long-eared bat, Plecotus austriacus Subfamily: Miniopterinae Genus: Miniopterus Common bent-wing bat, M. schreibersii Family: Rhinolophidae Subfamily: Rhinolophinae Genus: Rhinolophus Greater horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus ferrumequinum possibly extirpated Lesser horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hipposideros
Order: Cetacea (whales) 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: Balaenopteridae Genus: Balaenoptera Blue whale, Balaenoptera m. musculus (possible) Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus Subfamily: Megapterinae Genus: Megaptera Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae (possible)Are humpback whales electing the Mediterranean Sea as new residence? Family: Balaenidae Genus: Eubalaena North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis (possible)COSEWIC Assessment and Status Report on the North Atlantic Right Whale Eubalaena glacialis in Canada - 2013- Wildlife Species Description and Significance Suborder: Odontoceti Superfamily:Physeteroidea Family: Physeteridae (sperm whales) Genus: Physeter Sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus Whales in Maltese watersVideo: Nine meter whale supersizes Maltese fishermenWhale spotted off Gnejna coast Superfamily: Platanistoidea Family: Delphinidae (oceanic dolphins) Genus: Tursiops Common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus Genus: Delphinus Short-beaked common dolphin, Delphinus delphis Genus: Stenella Striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba Genus: Grampus Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus Genus: Pseudorca False killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens Genus: Globicephala Long-finned pilot whale, Globicephala melas
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. Suborder: Caniformia Family: Mustelidae (mustelids) Genus: Mustela Least weasel, M. nivalis possibly introduced Family: Phocidae (earless seals) Genus: Monachus Mediterranean monk seal, M. monachus extirpated
See also List of chordate orders Lists of mammals by region List of prehistoric mammals Mammal classification List of mammals described in the 2000s
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