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List of mammals of Ireland

There are 53 mammal species native to Ireland or naturalised in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland before 1500, of which 27 are terrestrial mammals and 26 are aquatic mammals. According to The Red List of Irish terrestrial mammals in 2019, locally, the black rat is listed as vulnerable, the grey wolf is extinct, and the remaining 25 terrestrial mammals are least concern. Not assessed were nine mammal species that were introduced after 1500. The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed on the IUCN Red List:

This article refers to species' global IUCN conservation status (as opposed to local status).

Diprotodontia (kangaroos and wallabies)

Although marsupials are only native to Australasia and the Americas, the red-necked wallaby has been introduced to Ireland: a population has been breeding on Lambay island since the 1950s.

Rodentia (rodents)

Rodents are the largest order of mammals, making up over 40% of mammal species globally. They have two incisors in the upper and lower jaw which grow continually and must be kept short by gnawing.

Lagomorpha (lagomorphs)

Although lagomorphs 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.

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 globally, including many that are of great economic importance to humans.

Eulipotyphla (hedgehogs, shrews and moles)

The order Eulipotyphla contains the hedgehogs, shrews, and moles. Hedgehogs are easily recognised by their spines, shrews closely resemble mice, while moles (which are absent from Ireland) are stout-bodied burrowers.

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 mammal species globally.

Carnivora (carnivorans)

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

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.

Locally extinct

The following species are locally extinct in the country:

Globally extinct

The following species were present in Ireland, and are now extinct globally:

See also

References

External links