List of mammals of Iran


This list shows the IUCN Red List status of the 261 mammal species occurring in Iran. Two of them are critically endangered, six are endangered, 17 are vulnerable, and five are near threatened. Another 11 species are likely present.
The following tags are used to highlight each species' status as assessed on the respective IUCN Red List published by the International Union for Conservation of Nature:
ExtinctThe last individual has died without doubt.
Extinct in the wildKnown only to survive in captivity or as a naturalized populations well outside its previous range.
Critically endangeredThe species is in imminent risk of extinction in the wild, as only less than 250 individuals survive.
EndangeredThe species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, as the population consists of less than 2500 individuals.
VulnerableThe species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild, as the population consists of less than 10000 individuals.
Near threatenedThe 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 concernThere are no current identifiable risks to the species.
Data deficientThere is inadequate information to make an assessment of the risks to this species.

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.

Order: [Rodent]ia (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.

Order: [Lagomorpha]

The lagomorphs comprise the families Leporidae and Ochotonidae. Though members 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.

Order: [Erinaceomorpha] (hedgehogs and gymnures)

The order Erinaceomorpha contains a single family, Erinaceidae, which comprise the hedgehogs and gymnures. The hedgehogs are easily recognised by their spines while gymnures look more like large rats.

Order: [Soricomorpha] (shrews, moles, and solenodons)

The "shrew-forms" are insectivorous mammals. The shrews and solenodons closely resemble mice while the moles are stout-bodied burrowers.

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.

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.
More than 14 species have been recorded within Iran's exclusive economic zone.

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.

Order: [Perissodactyla] (odd-toed ungulates)

The odd-toed ungulates are browsing and grazing mammals. They are usually large to very large, and have relatively simple stomachs and a large middle toe.

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.

Locally extinct

The following species are locally extinct in Iran: