List of mammals of Italy explained

There are 102 mammal species in Italy, of which one is critically endangered, two are endangered, nine are vulnerable, and four are near threatened. One of the species listed for Italy is considered to be extinct.The following tags are used to highlight each species' IUCN Red List status as published 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: 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.

• Suborder: Hystricognathi
  • Family: Hystricidae (Old World porcupines)
    • Genus: Hystrix
      • Crested porcupine, H. cristata ^[1]
• Suborder: Sciurognathi
  • Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
    • Subfamily: Sciurinae
      • Tribe: Sciurini
        • Genus: Sciurus
          • Calabrian black squirrel, S. meridionalis
          • Red squirrel, S. vulgaris ^[2]
    • Subfamily: Xerinae
      • Tribe: Marmotini
        • Genus: Marmota
          • Alpine marmot, M. marmota
  • Family: Gliridae (dormice)
    • Subfamily: Leithiinae
      • Genus: Dryomys
        • Forest dormouse, D. nitedula
      • Genus: Eliomys
        • Garden dormouse, E. quercinus ^[3]
      • Genus: Muscardinus
        • Hazel dormouse, M. avellanarius
    • Subfamily: Glirinae
      • Genus: Glis
        • European edible dormouse, Glis glis
  • Family: Cricetidae
    • Subfamily: Arvicolinae
      • Genus: Arvicola
        • European water vole, A. amphibius ^[4]
      • Genus: Chionomys
        • European snow vole, Chionomys nivalis
      • Genus: Clethrionomys
        • Bank vole, Clethrionomys glareolus
      • Genus: Microtus
        • Field vole, Microtus agrestis
        • Common vole, Microtus arvalis
        • Calabria pine vole, Microtus brachycercus
        • Alpine pine vole, Microtus multiplex
        • Savi's pine vole, Microtus savii
        • European pine vole, Microtus subterraneus
  • Family: Muridae (mice, rats, voles, gerbils, hamsters, etc.)
    • Subfamily: Murinae
      • Genus: Mus
        • House mouse, M. musculus ^[5]
      • Genus: Apodemus
        • Alpine field mouse, Apodemus alpicola
        • Yellow-necked mouse, Apodemus flavicollis
        • Wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus
      • Genus: Micromys
        • Eurasian harvest mouse, Micromys minutus
      • Genus: Rattus
        • Brown rat, R. norvegicus introduced
        • Black rat, R. rattus introduced^[6]

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.

• Family: Leporidae (rabbits, hares)
  • Genus: Lepus
    • Cape hare, L. capensis ^[7]
    • Corsican hare, L. corsicanus
    • European hare, L. europaeus ^[8]
    • Mountain hare, L. timidus ^[9]
  • Genus: Oryctolagus
    • European rabbit, O. cuniculus introduced^[10]
• Family: Ochotonidae (pikas)
  • Genus: Prolagus
    • Sardinian pika, P. sardus

Order: Eulipotyphla (shrews, hedgehogs, gymnures, moles and solenodons)

Eulipotyphlans are insectivorous mammals. Shrews and solenodons resemble mice, hedgehogs carry spines, gymnures look more like large rats, while moles are stout-bodied burrowers.

• Family: Erinaceidae (hedgehogs and gymnures)
  • Subfamily: Erinaceinae
    • Genus: Erinaceus
      • West European hedgehog, E. europaeus ^[11]

• Family: Soricidae (shrews)
  • Subfamily: Crocidurinae
    • Genus: Crocidura
      • Pantellerian shrew, Crocidura cossyrensis
      • Bicolored shrew, Crocidura leucodon
      • Sicilian shrew, Crocidura sicula
      • Lesser white-toothed shrew, C. suaveolens ^[12]
    • Genus: Suncus
      • Etruscan shrew, Suncus etruscus
  • Subfamily: Soricinae
    • Tribe: Nectogalini
      • Genus: Neomys
        • Southern water shrew, Neomys anomalus
        • Eurasian water shrew, Neomys fodiens
    • Tribe: Soricini
      • Genus: Sorex
        • Alpine shrew, Sorex alpinus
        • Common shrew, Sorex araneus
        • Eurasian pygmy shrew, Sorex minutus
        • Apennine shrew, Sorex samniticus
• Family: Talpidae (moles)
  • Subfamily: Talpinae
    • Tribe: Talpini
      • Genus: Talpa
        • European mole, Talpa europaea
        • Mediterranean mole, Talpa caeca
        • Roman mole, Talpa romana

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
      • Bechstein's bat, M. bechsteini ^[13]
      • Lesser mouse-eared bat, M. blythii ^[14]
      • Brandt's bat, M. brandti ^[15]
      • Long-fingered bat, M. capaccinii ^[16]
      • Cryptic myotis, M. crypticus
      • Daubenton's bat, M. daubentonii ^[17]
      • Geoffroy's bat, M. emarginatus ^[18]
      • Greater mouse-eared bat, M. myotis ^[19]
      • Whiskered bat, M. mystacinus ^[20]
      • Natterer's bat, M. nattereri ^[21]
  • Subfamily: Vespertilioninae
    • Genus: Barbastella
      • Western barbastelle, B. barbastellus ^[22]
    • Genus: Eptesicus
      • Northern bat, E. nilssoni
      • Serotine bat, E. serotinus
    • Genus: Hypsugo
      • Savi's pipistrelle, H. savii ^[23]
    • Genus: Nyctalus
      • Greater noctule bat, N. lasiopterus ^[24]
      • Lesser noctule, N. leisleri ^[25]
      • Common noctule, N. noctula ^[26]
    • Genus: Pipistrellus
      • Kuhl's pipistrelle, P. kuhlii
      • Nathusius' pipistrelle, P. nathusii ^[27]
      • Common pipistrelle, P. pipistrellus
    • Genus: Plecotus
      • Brown long-eared bat, P. auritus ^[28]
      • Grey long-eared bat, P. austriacus ^[29]
    • Genus: Vespertilio
      • Parti-coloured bat, V. murinus ^[30]
  • Subfamily: Miniopterinae
    • Genus: Miniopterus
      • Common bent-wing bat, M. schreibersii ^[31]
• Family: Molossidae
  • Genus: Tadarida
    • European free-tailed bat, T. teniotis ^[32]
• Family: Rhinolophidae
  • Subfamily: Rhinolophinae
    • Genus: Rhinolophus
      • Mediterranean horseshoe bat, R. euryale ^[33]
      • Greater horseshoe bat, R. ferrumequinum ^[34]
      • Lesser horseshoe bat, R. hipposideros ^[35]
      • Mehely's horseshoe bat, R. mehelyi ^[36]

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 (right whales)
    • Genus: Eubalaena
      • North Atlantic right whale, E. glacialis
  • Family: Balaenopteridae (rorquals)
    • Subfamily: Megapterinae
      • Genus: Megaptera
        • Humpback whale, M. novaeangliae
    • Subfamily: Balaenopterinae
      • Genus: Balaenoptera
        • Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus
        • Common minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata ^[37]
• Suborder: Odontoceti
  • Family: Physeteridae
    • Genus: Physeter
      • Sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus
  • Superfamily: Platanistoidea
    • Family: Ziphidae
      • Genus: Ziphius
        • Cuvier's beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris ^[38]
      • Genus: Mesoplodon
        • Sowerby's beaked whale, Mesoplodon bidens ^{[39] [40]}
        • Gervais' beaked whale, Mesoplodon europaeus vagrant^[41]
    • Family: Delphinidae (marine dolphins)
      • Genus: Steno
        • Rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis
      • Genus: Tursiops
        • Common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus
      • Genus: Stenella
        • Striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba
      • Genus: Delphinus
        • Short-beaked common dolphin, Delphinus delphis
      • Genus: Grampus
        • Risso's dolphin, Grampus griseus
      • Genus: Feresa
        • Pygmy killer whale, Feresa attenuata
      • Genus: Pseudorca
        • False killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens
      • Genus: Orcinus
        • Orca, O. orca ^[42]
      • Genus: Globicephala
        • Long-finned pilot whale, G. melas

Order: Carnivora (carnivorans)

There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which eat meat as their primary dietary item. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.

• Suborder: Feliformia
  • Family: Felidae (cats)
    • Subfamily: Felinae
      • Genus: Felis
        • African wildcat, F. lybica ^[43]
        • European wildcat, F. silvestris
      • Genus: Lynx
        • Eurasian lynx, L. lynx ^[44]
  • Family: Viverridae (civets, mongooses, etc.)
    • Subfamily: Viverrinae
      • Genus: Genetta
        • Common genet, G. genetta vagrant^[45]
• Suborder: Caniformia
  • Family: Canidae (dogs, foxes)
    • Genus: Vulpes
      • Red fox, V. vulpes ^[46]
    • Genus: Canis
      • Golden jackal, C. aureus ^[47] vagrant^[48]
        • European jackal, C. a. moreoticus
      • Gray wolf, C. lupus ^[49]
        • Sicilian wolf, C. l. cristaldii ^[50]
        • Italian wolf, C. l. italicus
  • Family: Ursidae (bears)
    • Genus: Ursus
      • Brown bear, U. arctos ^[51]
        • Marsican brown bear, U. a. marsicanus/arctos
  • Family: Mustelidae (mustelids)
    • Genus: Lutra
      • European otter, L. lutra ^[52]
    • Genus: Martes
      • Beech marten, M. foina ^[53]
      • European pine marten, M. martes ^[54]
    • Genus: Meles
      • European badger, M. meles ^[55]
    • Genus: Mustela
      • Stoat, M. erminea ^[56]
      • Least weasel, M. nivalis ^[57]
      • European polecat, M. putorius ^[58]
    • Genus: Neogale
      • American mink, N. vison introduced^[59]
  • Family: Phocidae (earless seals)
    • Genus: Monachus
      • Mediterranean monk seal, M. monachus possibly extirpated^[60]

Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)

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.

• Family: Bovidae (cattle, antelope, sheep, goats)
  • Subfamily: Caprinae
    • Genus: Capra
      • Alpine ibex, C. ibex ^[61]
    • Genus: Rupicapra
      • Pyrenean chamois, R. pyrenaica ^[62]
      • Chamois, R. rupicapra^[63]
• Family: Cervidae (deer)
  • Subfamily: Cervinae
    • Genus: Cervus
      • Red deer, C. elaphus ^[64]
        • Sardinian deer, C. e. corsicanus
    • Genus: Dama
      • European fallow deer, D. dama ^[65]
  • Subfamily: Capreolinae
    • Genus: Capreolus
      • Roe deer, C. capreolus ^[66]
• Family: Suidae (pigs)
  • Subfamily: Suinae
    • Genus: Sus
      • Wild boar, S. scrofa ^[67]

Locally extinct

The following species are locally extinct in the country:

• Blasius's horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus blasii^[68]

See also

• Fauna of Italy
• List of chordate orders
• Lists of mammals by region
• Mammal classification

External links

• Web site: Animal Diversity Web . University of Michigan Museum of Zoology . 1995–2006 . 22 May 2007.

Notes and References

1. Hystrix cristata . Grubb, P. . Amori, G. . de Smet, K. . Bertolino, S. . amp . 2010 . e.T10746A3211666.
2. Sciurus vulgaris . amp . Amori, G. . Hutterer, R. . Kryštufek, B. . Yigit, N. . Mitsain, G. . Muñoz, L. J. P. . e.T20025A9136220 . 2010.
3. Eliomys quercinus . 2008 . Bertolino, S. . Amori, G. . Henttonen, H. . Zagorodnyuk, I. . Zima, J. . Juškaitis, R. . Meinig, H. . Kryštufek, B. . amp . e.T7618A12835766.
4. Arvicola amphibius . Batsaikhan, N. . Henttonen, H. . Meinig, H. . Shenbrot, G. . Bukhnikashvili, A. . Hutterer, R. . Kryštufek, B. . Yigit, N. . Mitsain, G. . Palomo, L. . amp . 2016 . e.T2149A115060819.
5. Mus musculus . Musser, G. . amp . Hutterer, R. . Kryštufek, B. . Yigit, N. . Mitsain, G. . 2016 . e.T13972A115117618.
6. Rattus rattus . amp . 2015 . Kryštufek, B. . Palomo, L.J. . Hutterer, R. . Mitsain, G. . Yigit, N. . e.T19360A115148682.
7. Lepus capensis . Johnston, C.H. . Robinson, T.J. . Child, M.F. . Relton, C. . amp . e.T41277A45186750 . 2019.
8. Lepus europaeus . amp . Hacklande, K. . Schai-Braun, S. . 2019 . e.T41280A45187424.
9. Lepus timidus . amp . Smith, A.T. . Johnston, C.H. . 2019 . e.T11791A45177198.
10. Oryctolagus cuniculus . amp . 2019 . Villafuerte, R. . Delibes-Mateos, M. . e.T41291A45189779 .
11. Erinaceus europaeus . Amori, G. . 2016 . e.T29650A2791303.
12. Crocidura suaveolens . Hutterer, R. . Amori, G. . Krystufek, B. . Yigit, N. . Mitsain, G. . Palomo, L.J. . amp . 2010 . e.T29656A9511068.
13. Myotis bechsteinii . Paunović, M. . 2019 . e.T14123A22053752.
14. Myotis blythii . Juste, J. . Paunović, M. . amp . 2016 . e.T14124A22053297.
15. Myotis brandtii . Gazaryan, S. . Kruskop, S.V. . Godlevska, L. . 2020 . e.T85566997A22054468.
16. Myotis capaccinii . Hutson, A. M. . Spitzenberger, F. . Aulagnier, S. . Juste, J. . Karatas, A. . Palmeirim, J. . Paunovic, M. . amp . 2010 . e.T14126A4399043.
17. daubentonii . Kruskop, S.V. . Godlevska, L. . Bücs, S. . Çoraman, E. . Gazaryan, S. . amp . 2020 . e.T85342710A22054773.
18. Myotis emarginatus . Piraccini, R. . e.T14129A22051191 . 2016.
19. Myotis myotis . Coroiu, I. . Juste, J. . Paunović, M. . amp . 2016 . e.T14133A22051759.
20. Myotis mystacinus . Coroiu, I.. 2016 . e.T14134A22052250.
21. Myotis nattereri . Gazaryan, S. . Kruskop, S.V. . Godlevska, L. . amp . 2020 . e.T85733032A22052584.
22. Barbastella barbastellus . Piraccini, R. . e.T2553A22029285 . 2016.
23. Hypsugo savii . Hutson, A. M. . Spitzenberger, F. . Juste, J. . Aulagnier, S. . Palmeirim, J. . Paunovic, M. . Karatas, A. . amp . 2010 . e.T44856A10955205.
24. Nyctalus lasiopterus . Hutson, A. M. . Alcaldé, J. T. . Juste, J. . Karataş, A. . Palmeirim, J. . Paunović, M. . amp . 2010 . e.T14918A4471682.
25. Nyctalus leisleri . Juste, J. . Paunović, M. . amp . 2016 . e.T14919A22016159.
26. Nyctalus noctula . Csorba, G. . Hutson, A.M. . amp . 2016 . e.T14920A22015682.
27. Pipistrellus nathusii . Hutson, A. M. . Spitzenberger, F. . Juste, J. . Aulagnier, S. . Palmeirim, J. . Karatas, A. . Paunovic, M. . amp . 2010 . e.T17316A6966886.
28. Plecotus auritus . 2021 . amp . Gazaryan, S. . Kruskop, S.V. . Godlevska, L. . 2020 . e.T85535522A195861341.
29. Plecotus austriacus . 2020 . amp . Gazaryan, S. . Godlevska, L. . 2020 . e.T85533333A195862345.
30. Vespertilio murinus . Coroiu, I. . 2016 . e.T22947A22071456.
31. Gazaryan, S. . amp . Bücs, S. . Çoraman, E. . Miniopterus schreibersii . 2021 . 2020 . e.T81633057A19585652.
32. Tadarida teniotis . Benda, P. . Piraccini, R. . amp . e.T21311A22114995 . 2016.
33. Rhinolophus euryale . Juste, J. . Alcaldé, J. . amp . e.T19516A21971185 . 2016.
34. Rhinolophus ferrumequinum . Piraccini, R. . 2016 . e.T19517A21973253.
35. Rhinolophus hipposideros . Taylor, P. . 2016 . e.T19518A21972794.
36. Rhinolophus mehelyi . Alcaldé, J. . Benda, P. . Juste, J. . amp . e.T19519A21974380 . 2016.
37. Balaenoptera acutorostrata . Cooke, J.G. . 2018 . e.T2474A50348265.
38. Web site: D. Holcer . C.M. Fortuna . P. C. Mackelworth. United Nations Environment Programme. Mediterranean Action Plan. Status and Conservation of Cetaceans in the Adriatic Sea. March 2014.
39. News: Rare sighting of white whale in Sardinia. ansa.it.
40. Web site: Frenata la speculazione energetica nel Mar di Sardegna?. 16 November 2014 . Energy speculation in the Sardinian Sea stopped?. it.
41. Pitman, R.L. . Brownell Jr, R.L. . amp . Mesoplodon europaeus . 2020 . e.T13245A50365198.
42. Orcinus orca . Reeves, R. . Pitman, R.L. . Ford, J.K.B. . 2017 . e.T15421A50368125.
43. Felis lybica . amp . Ghoddousi, A. . Belbachir, F. . Durant, S.M. . Herbst, M. . Rosen, T. . e.T131299383A154907281 . 2022 .
44. Lynx lynx . Breitenmoser, U. . Breitenmoser-Würsten, C. . Lanz, T. . von Arx, M. . Antonevich, A. . Bao, W. . Avgan, B. . amp . e.T12519A121707666 . 2015.
45. Genetta genetta . Gaubert, P. . Carvalho, F. . Camps, D. . Do Linh San, E. . amp . 2015 . e.T41698A45218636.
46. Vulpes vulpes . Hoffmann, M. . Sillero-Zubiri, C. . amp . 2016 . e.T23062A46190249.
47. Canis aureus . Hoffmann, M. . Arnold, J. . Duckworth, J. W. . Jhala, Y. . Kamler, J. F. . Krofel, M. . amp . 2018 . e.T118264161A46194820.
48. Arnold, J. . Humer, A. . Heltai, M. . Murariu, D. . Spassov, N. . Hacklaender, K. . amp . 2012 . Current status and distribution of golden jackals Canis aureus in Europe . Mammal Review . 42 . 1 . 1–11 . 10.1111/j.1365-2907.2011.00185.x .
49. Canis lupus . Boitani, L. . Phillips, M. . Jhala, Y. . amp . 2018 . e.T3746A119623865.
50. Angelici. F. M. . Rossi. L. . A new subspecies of grey wolf (Carnivora, Canidae), recently extinct, from Sicily, Italy . Bollettino del Museo Civico di Storia Naturale di Verona . 42 . 2018 . 3–15.
51. Ursus arctos . McLellan, B. N. . Proctor, M. F. . Huber, D. . Michel, S. . amp . 2017 . e.T41688A121229971.
52. Lutra lutra . Roos, A. . Loy, A. . de Silva, P. . Hajkova, P. . Zemanová, B. . 2015 . e.T12419A21935287.
53. Martes foina . 2016 . Abramov, A.V. . Kranz, A. . Herrero, J. . Krantz, A. . Choudhury, A. . Maran, T. . amp . e.T29672A45202514.
54. Martes martes . Herrero, J. . amp . Kranz, A. . Skumatov, D. . Abramov, A.V. . Maran, T. . Monakhov, V.G. . e.T12848A45199169 . 2016.
55. Meles meles . Kranz, A. . Abramov, A. V. . Herrero, J. . Maran, T. . amp . 2016 . e.T29673A45203002.
56. Mustela erminea . Reid, F. . Helgen, K. . Kranz, A. . amp . 2016 . e.T29674A45203335.
57. Mustela nivalis . McDonald, R. A. . Abramov, A. V. . Stubbe, M. . Herrero, J. . Maran, T. . Tikhonov, A. . Cavallini, P. . Kranz, A. . Giannatos, G. . Kryštufek, B. . Reid, F. . amp . 2019 . e.T70207409A147993366.
58. Mustela putorius . Skumatov, D. . Abramov, A.V. . Herrero, J. . Kitchener, A. . Maran, T. . Kranz, A.. Sándor, A. . Stubbe, M. . Saveljev, A. . Savour-Soubelet, A. . Guinot-Ghestem, M. . Zuberogoitia, I. . Birks, J.D.S. . Weber, A. . Melisch, R. . Ruette, S. . amp . 2016 . e.T41658A45214384.
59. Neovison vison . Reid, F. . Schiaffini, M. . Schipper, J. . e.T41661A45214988 . 2016.
60. Monachus monachus . Karamanlidis, A. . Dendrinos, P. . amp . e.T13653A45227543 . 2015.
61. Capra ibex . amp . Toïgo, C. . Brambilla, A. . Grignolio, S. . Pedrotti, L. . 2020 . e.T42397A161916377.
62. Rupicapra pyrenaica . Herrero, J. . Lovari, S. . Nores, C. . Toigo, C. . amp . 2020 . e.T19771A171131310.
63. Rupicapra rupicapra . 2020 . Anderwald, P. . Ambarli, H. . Avramov, S.. Ciach, M.. Corlatti, L.. Farkas, A.. Papaioannou, H.. Peters, W.. Sarasa, M. . Šprem, N.. Weinberg, P.. Willisch, C. . amp . e.T39255A195863093 . 2021.
64. Cervus elaphus . Lovari, S. . Lorenzini, R. . Masseti, M. . Pereladova, O. . Carden, R.F. . Brook, S.M. . Mattioli, S. . amp . e.T55997072A142404453 . 2018.
65. Dama dama . amp . Masseti, M. . Mertzanidou, D. . 2008 . e.T42188A10656554.
66. Capreolus capreolus . Lovari, S. . Herrero, J. . Masseti, M. . Ambarli, H. . Lorenzini, R. . Giannatos, G. . amp . 2016 . e.T42395A22161386.
67. Sus scrofa . amp . Keuling, O. . Leus, K. . e.T41775A44141833 . 2019.
68. Rhinolophus blasii . Taylor, P. . 2016 . e.T19515A21972073.