This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Cameroon. There are 327 mammal species in Cameroon, of which four are critically endangered, sixteen are endangered, twenty-three are vulnerable, and fourteen are 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: EX Extinct No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. EW Extinct in the wild Known only to survive in captivity or as a naturalized populations well outside its previous range. CR Critically endangered The species is in imminent risk of extinction in the wild. EN Endangered The species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. VU Vulnerable The species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. NT 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. LC Least concern There are no current identifiable risks to the species. DD Data deficient There 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/cd Lower risk/conservation dependent Species which were the focus of conservation programmes and may have moved into a higher risk category if that programme was discontinued. LR/nt Lower risk/near threatened Species which are close to being classified as vulnerable but are not the subject of conservation programmes. LR/lc Lower risk/least concern Species 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.
Family: Tenrecidae (tenrecs) Subfamily: Potamogalinae Genus: Potamogale Giant otter shrew, P. velox Family: Chrysochloridae Subfamily: Chrysochlorinae Genus: Chrysochloris Stuhlmann's golden mole, Chrysochloris stuhlmanni LC Subfamily: Amblysominae Genus: Calcochloris Congo golden mole, Calcochloris leucorhinus DD
Order: Tubulidentata (aardvarks)
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, O. afer
Order: Hyracoidea (hyraxes)
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.
Family: Procaviidae (hyraxes) Genus: Dendrohyrax Western tree hyrax, D. dorsalis Genus: Procavia Cape hyrax, P. capensis
Order: Proboscidea (elephants)
The elephants comprise three living species and are the largest living land animals. Family: Elephantidae (elephants) Genus: Loxodonta African bush elephant, L. africana African forest elephant, L. cyclotis
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.
Family: Trichechidae Genus: Trichechus African manatee, Trichechus senegalensis VU
Order: Primates
The order Primates contains humans and their closest relatives: lemurs, lorisoids, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes.
Suborder: Strepsirrhini Infraorder: Lemuriformes Superfamily: Lorisoidea Family: Lorisidae Genus: Arctocebus Golden angwantibo, Arctocebus aureus LR/nt Calabar angwantibo, Arctocebus calabarensis LR/nt Genus: Perodicticus Potto, Perodicticus potto LR/lc Family: Galagidae Genus: Sciurocheirus Bioko Allen's bushbaby, Sciurocheirus alleni LR/nt Cross River bushbaby, Sciurocheirus cameronensis LR/lc Genus: Galago Senegal bushbaby, Galago senegalensis LR/lc Genus: Galagoides Prince Demidoff's bushbaby, Galagoides demidovii LR/lc Thomas's bushbaby, Galagoides thomasi LR/lc Genus: Euoticus Southern needle-clawed bushbaby, Euoticus elegantulus LR/nt Northern needle-clawed bushbaby, Euoticus pallidus LR/nt Suborder: Haplorhini Infraorder: Simiiformes Parvorder: Catarrhini Superfamily: Cercopithecoidea Family: Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys) Genus: Allenopithecus Allen's swamp monkey, Allenopithecus nigroviridis LR/nt Genus: Miopithecus Gabon talapoin, Miopithecus ogouensis LR/lc Genus: Erythrocebus Patas monkey, Erythrocebus patas LR/lc Genus: Chlorocebus Tantalus monkey, Chlorocebus tantalus LR/lc Genus: Cercopithecus Red-tailed monkey, Cercopithecus ascanius LR/lc Moustached guenon, Cercopithecus cephus LR/lc Red-eared guenon, Cercopithecus erythrotis VU Mona monkey, Cercopithecus mona LR/lc De Brazza's monkey, Cercopithecus neglectus LR/lc Greater spot-nosed monkey, Cercopithecus nictitans LR/lc Crowned guenon, Cercopithecus pogonias LR/lc Preuss's monkey, Cercopithecus preussi EN Genus: Lophocebus Grey-cheeked mangabey, Lophocebus albigena LR/lc Genus: Papio Olive baboon, Papio anubis LR/lc Genus: Cercocebus Collared mangabey, Cercocebus torquatus LR/nt Genus: Mandrillus Drill, Mandrillus leucophaeus EN Mandrill, Mandrillus sphinx VU Subfamily: Colobinae Genus: Colobus Mantled guereza, Colobus guereza LR/lc Black colobus, Colobus satanas VU Genus: Procolobus Red colobus, Procolobus badius EN Pennant's colobus, Procolobus pennantii EN Superfamily: Hominoidea Family: Hominidae (great apes) Subfamily: Homininae Tribe: Gorillini Genus: Gorilla Western gorilla, Gorilla gorilla EN Tribe: Panini Genus: Pan Common chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes EN
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 (100 lb).
Suborder: Hystricognathi Family: Bathyergidae Genus: Cryptomys Nigerian mole-rat, Cryptomys foxi DD Family: Hystricidae (Old World porcupines) Genus: Atherurus African brush-tailed porcupine, Atherurus africanus LC Genus: Hystrix Crested porcupine, Hystrix cristata 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 Dwarf scaly-tailed squirrel, Anomalurus pusillus LC Genus: Anomalurops Beecroft's scaly-tailed squirrel, Anomalurops beecrofti LC Subfamily: Zenkerellinae Genus: Idiurus Long-eared flying mouse, Idiurus macrotis LC Pygmy scaly-tailed flying squirrel, Idiurus zenkeri DD Genus: Zenkerella Flightless scaly-tailed squirrel, Zenkerella insignis DD Family: Sciuridae (squirrels) Subfamily: Xerinae Tribe: Xerini Genus: Xerus Striped ground squirrel, Xerus erythropus LC Tribe: Protoxerini Genus: Epixerus Baifran palm squirrel, Epixerus wilsoni DD Genus: Funisciurus Thomas's rope squirrel, Funisciurus anerythrus DD Lady Burton's rope squirrel, Funisciurus isabella LC Ribboned rope squirrel, Funisciurus lemniscatus DD Red-cheeked rope squirrel, Funisciurus leucogenys DD Fire-footed rope squirrel, Funisciurus pyrropus LC Genus: Heliosciurus Red-legged sun squirrel, Heliosciurus rufobrachium LC Genus: Myosciurus African pygmy squirrel, Myosciurus pumilio DD Genus: Paraxerus Cooper's mountain squirrel, Paraxerus cooperi DD Green bush squirrel, Paraxerus poensis LC Genus: Protoxerus Forest giant squirrel, Protoxerus stangeri LC Family: Gliridae (dormice) Subfamily: Graphiurinae Genus: Graphiurus Christy's dormouse, Graphiurus christyi DD Jentink's dormouse, Graphiurus crassicaudatus DD Lorrain dormouse, Graphiurus lorraineus LC Nagtglas's African dormouse, Graphiurus nagtglasii LC Kellen's dormouse, Graphiurus kelleni DD Silent dormouse, Graphiurus surdus DD Family: Nesomyidae Subfamily: Dendromurinae Genus: Dendromus Banana climbing mouse, Dendromus messorius LC Cameroon climbing mouse, Dendromus oreas VU Genus: Prionomys Dollman's tree mouse, Prionomys batesi DD Genus: Steatomys Fat mouse, Steatomys pratensis LC Subfamily: Cricetomyinae Genus: Cricetomys Emin's pouched rat, Cricetomys emini LC Family: Muridae (mice, rats, voles, gerbils, hamsters, etc.) Subfamily: Deomyinae Genus: Acomys Johan's spiny mouse, Acomys johannis LC Genus: Deomys Link rat, Deomys ferrugineus LC Genus: Lophuromys Dieterlen's brush-furred mouse, Lophuromys dieterleni VU Fire-bellied brush-furred rat, Lophuromys nudicaudus LC Mount Cameroon brush-furred rat, Lophuromys roseveari LC Rusty-bellied brush-furred rat, Lophuromys sikapusi LC Genus: Uranomys Rudd's mouse, Uranomys ruddi LC Subfamily: Otomyinae Genus: Otomys Burton's vlei rat, Otomys burtoni VU Western vlei rat, Otomys occidentalis VU Subfamily: Gerbillinae Genus: Desmodilliscus Pouched gerbil, Desmodilliscus braueri LC Genus: Tatera Kemp's gerbil, Tatera kempi LC Fringe-tailed gerbil, Tatera robusta LC Genus: Taterillus Congo gerbil, Taterillus congicus LC Gracile tateril, Taterillus gracilis LC Lake Chad gerbil, Taterillus lacustris LC Subfamily: Murinae Genus: Aethomys Hinde's rock rat, Aethomys hindei LC Tinfields rock rat, Aethomys stannarius NT Genus: Arvicanthis Guinean grass rat, Arvicanthis rufinus LC Genus: Colomys African wading rat, Colomys goslingi LC Genus: Dasymys West African shaggy rat, Dasymys rufulus LC Genus: Grammomys Shining thicket rat, Grammomys rutilans LC Genus: Heimyscus African smoky mouse, Heimyscus fumosus LC Genus: Hybomys Eisentraut's striped mouse, Hybomys eisentrauti EN Peters's striped mouse, Hybomys univittatus LC Genus: Hylomyscus Beaded wood mouse, Hylomyscus aeta LC Mount Oku hylomyscus, Hylomyscus grandis CR Little wood mouse, Hylomyscus parvus LC Stella wood mouse, Hylomyscus stella LC Genus: Lamottemys Mount Oku rat, Lamottemys okuensis EN Genus: Lemniscomys Mittendorf's striped grass mouse, Lemniscomys mittendorfi DD Typical striped grass mouse, Lemniscomys striatus LC Genus: Malacomys Big-eared swamp rat, Malacomys longipes LC Genus: Mastomys Guinea multimammate mouse, Mastomys erythroleucus LC Verheyen's multimammate mouse, Mastomys kollmannspergeri LC Natal multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis LC Genus: Mus African pygmy mouse, Mus minutoides LC Peters's mouse, Mus setulosus LC Thomas's pygmy mouse, Mus sorella LC Genus: Mylomys African groove-toothed rat, Mylomys dybowskii LC Genus: Oenomys Common rufous-nosed rat, Oenomys hypoxanthus LC Genus: Praomys Dalton's mouse, Praomys daltoni LC Hartwig's soft-furred mouse, Praomys hartwigi EN Jackson's soft-furred mouse, Praomys jacksoni LC Cameroon soft-furred mouse, Praomys morio VU Petter's soft-furred mouse, Praomys petteri LC Tullberg's soft-furred mouse, Praomys tullbergi LC Genus: Stochomys Target rat, Stochomys longicaudatus LC
Order: Lagomorpha (lagomorphs)