List of bathyergids
is a family of fossorial mammals in the order Rodentia and part of the Phiomorpha parvorder. Members of this family are called bathyergids, blesmols, or mole-rats. They are found in Sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in shrublands, grasslands, and savannas, though some species can be found in deserts or forests. They range in size from Caroline's mole-rat, at plus a tail, to the Cape dune mole-rat, at plus a tail. Bathyergids are omnivores, and primarily eat roots, bulbs, and tubers, as well as earthworms and insects. Almost no bathyergids have population estimates, but the Hanang mole-rat is categorized as endangered with a population as low as 100.
The twenty-one extant species of Bathyergidae are divided into five genera, which range in size from one to thirteen species. Several extinct prehistoric bathyergid species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries, the exact number and categorization is not fixed.
Conventions
The author citation for the species or genus is given after the scientific name; parentheses around the author citation indicate that this was not the original taxonomic placement. Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the bathyergid's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted.Classification
is a family consisting of twenty-one extant species in five genera. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species.Family Bathyergidae
- Genus Bathyergus : two species
- Genus Cryptomys : four species
- Genus Fukomys : thirteen species
- Genus Georychus : one species
- Genus Heliophobius : one species
Bathyergids