This is a list of indigenous mammals of the Portuguese archipelago of Madeira in the North Atlantic ocean. Besides the mammals on the islands, the coastal waters are host to at least nine species of dolphins and ten species of migrating cetaceans. These are protected in the 430,000 km2 Madeiran Marine Mammal Sanctuary.
Conservation status listing and ranking system 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 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 Genus: Pipistrellus Madeira pipistrelle, P. maderensis Genus: Nyctalus Lesser noctule, Nyctalus leisleri verrucosus Genus: Plecotus Grey long-eared bat, Plecotus austriacus
Order: Carnivora (carnivorans)
Carnivorans include over 260 species, the majority of which eat meat as their primary dietary item. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition. Suborder: Pinnipedia Family: Phocidae Genus: Monachus Mediterranean monk seal, M. monachus
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: Balaenidae Genus: Eubalaena North Atlantic right whale, Eubalaena glacialis Family: Balaenopteridae Subfamily: Balaenopterinae Genus: Balaenoptera Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus Sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis Minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata Subfamily: Megapterinae Genus: Megaptera Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae Suborder: Odontoceti Superfamily: Physeteroidea Family: Physeteridae Genus: Physeter Sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus Family: Kogiidae Genus: Kogia Pygmy sperm whale, Kogia breviceps > Superfamily: Delphinoidea Family: Delphinidae (marine dolphins) Genus: Tursiops Common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus Genus: Steno Rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis
See also Lists of mammals by region List of birds of Madeira List of reptiles of Madeira List of amphibians of Madeira
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Further reading