Kenya is home to a vast and varied array of wildlife, particularly mammals, that contribute to the country’s rich biodiversity. From the majestic African elephant to the elusive cheetah, these species play an essential role in the ecosystem, balancing nature’s intricate web. The conservation of these animals is a critical concern due to the mounting pressures of poaching, habitat destruction, and climate change. The mammal species in Kenya are categorized based on their conservation status, which indicates how close they are to extinction and how urgently conservation efforts are needed.
Kenya’s wildlife not only contributes to its natural heritage but also plays a significant role in the country’s economy through tourism, providing a livelihood for many Kenyans. The country’s commitment to preserving its wildlife is reflected in its conservation programs and wildlife protection laws. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has provided the global conservation status for various species found in Kenya, highlighting those that are critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, or near threatened.
As the world faces increasing environmental threats, Kenya’s role in safeguarding its native species is ever more vital. The mammal species in Kenya, while diverse, face numerous challenges in the wild. Some of these species are thriving, but many others are at risk of disappearing if urgent measures are not taken to protect their natural habitats.
Mammal Species in Kenya: A Rich Diversity
Kenya’s diverse landscape, ranging from savannas to dense forests and marine environments, supports a wide range of mammal species. These animals vary in size, habitat, and behavior, each playing a unique role in the environment. Kenya is home to some of the world’s most iconic mammals, including the African elephant, the lion, and the giraffe. The country’s wildlife diversity extends to lesser-known species such as the golden-rumped elephant shrew and the elusive aardvark.
Among the mammals found in Kenya, some are critically endangered, while others are considered species of least concern. The country’s wildlife protection efforts are crucial in ensuring the survival of these species, especially those facing severe threats to their existence.
Conservation Status of Mammals in Kenya
The conservation status of species is a key indicator of their survival prospects in the wild. According to the IUCN, mammal species in Kenya are classified into different categories based on the level of threat they face. Some of the most notable categories include:
- Critically Endangered (CR): These species face an imminent risk of extinction in the wild. Kenya is home to several critically endangered mammals, including the Tana River red colobus, which is only found in Kenya’s Tana River region.
- Endangered (EN): Species in this category face a very high risk of extinction. The African bush elephant and the Grevy’s zebra are both classified as endangered, with their populations declining due to poaching and habitat loss.
- Vulnerable (VU): These species face a high risk of extinction in the wild. Examples of vulnerable species in Kenya include the cheetah, which struggles with habitat fragmentation and human-wildlife conflict.
- Near Threatened (NT): These species are at risk of becoming endangered in the future. The potoo and the white-tailed mongoose are examples of near-threatened mammals in Kenya.
Notable Mammal Species in Kenya
1. The African Elephant (Loxodonta africana)
The African elephant is the largest land mammal on Earth and one of the most iconic species in Kenya. Found in national parks and reserves across the country, elephants are a major draw for tourists. Despite their large population in Kenya, elephants face significant threats from poaching for ivory and habitat loss. Conservation efforts, such as anti-poaching laws and habitat protection, are crucial to ensuring the survival of this majestic species.
2. The Lion (Panthera leo)
The lion, known as the “king of the jungle,” is another iconic species of Kenya’s wildlife. Lions are mainly found in Kenya’s savannas, particularly in the Maasai Mara. However, their populations are decreasing due to human-wildlife conflict and the loss of prey. Lions are classified as vulnerable and require ongoing conservation attention to preserve their habitats and prevent poaching.
3. The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)
Kenya is one of the last strongholds of the cheetah, the fastest land animal on Earth. Cheetahs are primarily found in Kenya’s open plains, where they hunt for small to medium-sized mammals. However, they are classified as vulnerable due to loss of habitat, human-wildlife conflict, and decreased prey populations. Efforts to protect cheetah habitats and mitigate human-wildlife conflict are essential for their survival.
4. The Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)
The black rhinoceros is one of the most critically endangered species in Kenya. This species has been heavily poached for its horn, leading to a significant decline in population. Conservation programs, such as rhino sanctuaries and intensified anti-poaching efforts, have been put in place to protect these magnificent creatures.
5. The Grevy’s Zebra (Equus grevyi)
The Grevy’s zebra, with its distinctive narrow stripes, is native to Kenya and Ethiopia. It is listed as endangered due to overgrazing, competition with livestock, and habitat loss. Conservation efforts are focused on protecting their natural habitats and managing human-wildlife conflicts.
Conservation Efforts and Challenges
Kenya has made significant strides in wildlife conservation, with the government, local communities, and international organizations working together to protect the nation’s mammals. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) plays a central role in overseeing wildlife protection, managing national parks, and enforcing anti-poaching laws.
However, challenges remain, including the loss of habitats due to agricultural expansion, human-wildlife conflict, and the illegal wildlife trade. These threats, combined with climate change, present ongoing risks to the survival of many mammal species in Kenya. To counteract these challenges, conservation programs focus on habitat restoration, community involvement in wildlife protection, and global efforts to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.
The Role of Communities in Wildlife Conservation
Communities play an essential role in the conservation of mammal species in Kenya. Local communities, especially those living near wildlife reserves and national parks, are actively engaged in conservation efforts. Community-based programs, such as eco-tourism initiatives and wildlife monitoring, have proven to be effective in preserving Kenya’s biodiversity. By involving local people in conservation, these programs ensure that wildlife protection efforts are sustainable and beneficial to both animals and humans.
This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Kenya. Of these species, four are critically endangered, nine are endangered, eighteen are vulnerable, and fifteen are near threatened.[1]
The following tags are used to highlight each species’ conservation status as assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature:
| EX | Extinct | No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. |
| EW | Extinct in the wild | Known only to survive in captivity or as a naturalized populations well outside its previous range. |
| CR | Critically endangered | The species is in imminent risk of extinction in the wild. |
| EN | Endangered | The species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. |
| VU | Vulnerable | The species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild. |
| NT | 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. |
| LC | Least concern | There are no current identifiable risks to the species. |
| DD | Data deficient | There is inadequate information to make an assessment of the risks to this species. |
Order: Afrosoricida (tenrecs and golden moles)
The order Afrosoricida contains the golden moles of southern Africa and the tenrecs of Madagascar and Africa, two families of small mammals that were traditionally part of the order Insectivora.
- Family: Tenrecidae (tenrecs)
- Subfamily: Potamogalinae
- Genus: Potamogale
- Giant otter shrew, P. velox LC[2]
- Genus: Potamogale
- Subfamily: Potamogalinae
- Family: Chrysochloridae
- Subfamily: Chrysochlorinae
- Genus: Chrysochloris
- Stuhlmann’s golden mole, C. stuhlmanni LC[3]
- Genus: Chrysochloris
- Subfamily: Chrysochlorinae
Order: Macroscelidea (elephant-shrews)
Often called sengis, the elephant shrews or jumping shrews are native to southern Africa. Their common English name derives from their elongated flexible snout and their resemblance to the true shrews.
- Family: Macroscelididae
- Genus: Elephantulus
- Short-snouted elephant shrew, E. brachyrhynchus LC[4]
- Rufous elephant shrew, E. rufescens LC[5]
- Genus: Petrodromus
- Four-toed elephant shrew, P. tetradactylus LC[6]
- Genus: Rhynchocyon
- Golden-rumped elephant shrew, R. chrysopygus EN[7]
- Black and rufous elephant shrew, Rhynchocyon petersi LC[8]
- Genus: Elephantulus
Order: Tubulidentata (aardvarks)
The order Tubulidentata consists of a single species, the aardvark. Tubulidentata are characterised by their teeth which lack a pulp cavity and form thin tubes which are continuously worn down and replaced.
- Family: Orycteropodidae
- Genus: Orycteropus
Order: Hyracoidea (hyraxes)
The hyraxes are any of four species of fairly small, thickset, herbivorous mammals in the order Hyracoidea. About the size of a domestic cat they are well-furred, with rounded bodies and a stumpy tail. They are native to Africa and the Middle East.
- Family: Procaviidae
- Genus: Dendrohyrax
- Southern tree hyrax, D. arboreus LC[10]
- Genus: Heterohyrax
- Yellow-spotted rock hyrax, H. brucei LC[11]
- Genus: Procavia
- Cape hyrax, P. capensis LC[12]
- Genus: Dendrohyrax
Order: Proboscidea (elephants)
The elephants comprise three living species and are the largest living land animals.
- Family: Elephantidae (elephants)
- Genus: Loxodonta
- African bush elephant, L. africana EN[13]
- Genus: Loxodonta
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.
- Family: Dugongidae
Order: Primates
The order Primates contains humans and their closest relatives: lemurs, lorisoids, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes.
- Suborder: Strepsirrhini
- Infraorder: Lemuriformes
- Superfamily: Lorisoidea
- Family: Lorisidae (lorises, bushbabies)
- Genus: Perodicticus
- Family: Galagidae
- Genus: Galago
- Somali bushbaby, Galago gallarum
- Senegal bushbaby, Galago senegalensis
- Genus: Galagoides
- Prince Demidoff’s bushbaby, Galagoides demidovii
- Thomas’s bushbaby, Galagoides thomasi
- Zanzibar bushbaby, Galagoides zanzibaricus
- Genus: Otolemur
- Brown greater galago, Otolemur crassicaudatus
- Northern greater galago, Otolemur garnettii
- Genus: Galago
- Family: Lorisidae (lorises, bushbabies)
- Superfamily: Lorisoidea
- Infraorder: Lemuriformes
- Suborder: Haplorhini
- Infraorder: Simiiformes
- Parvorder: Catarrhini
- Superfamily: Cercopithecoidea
- Family: Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys)
- Genus: Erythrocebus
- Patas monkey, Erythrocebus patas
- Genus: Chlorocebus
- Vervet monkey, Chlorocebus pygerythrus
- Tantalus monkey, Chlorocebus tantalus
- Genus: Cercopithecus
- Red-tailed monkey, Cercopithecus ascanius
- Blue monkey, Cercopithecus mitis
- De Brazza’s monkey, Cercopithecus neglectus
- Genus: Lophocebus
- Grey-cheeked mangabey, Lophocebus albigena
- Genus: Papio
- Olive baboon, Papio anubis
- Yellow baboon, Papio cynocephalus
- Genus: Cercocebus
- Crested mangabey, Cercocebus galeritus
- Subfamily: Colobinae
- Genus: Colobus
- Angola colobus, Colobus angolensis
- Mantled guereza, Colobus guereza
- Genus: Procolobus
- Tana River red colobus, Procolobus rufomitratus CR
- Genus: Colobus
- Genus: Erythrocebus
- Family: Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys)
- Superfamily: Cercopithecoidea
- Parvorder: Catarrhini
- Infraorder: Simiiformes
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. Most rodents are small though the capybara can weigh up to 45 kg (99 lb).
- Suborder: Hystricognathi
- Family: Bathyergidae
- Genus: Heliophobius
- Silvery mole-rat, Heliophobius argenteocinereus LC
- Genus: Heterocephalus
- Naked mole-rat, Heterocephalus glaber LC
- Genus: Heliophobius
- Family: Hystricidae (Old World porcupines)
- Genus: Atherurus
- African brush-tailed porcupine, Atherurus africanus LC
- Genus: Hystrix
- Cape porcupine, Hystrix africaeaustralis LC
- Crested porcupine, Hystrix cristata LC
- Genus: Atherurus
- Family: Thryonomyidae (cane rats)
- Genus: Thryonomys
- Lesser cane rat, Thryonomys gregorianus LC
- Greater cane rat, Thryonomys swinderianus LC
- Genus: Thryonomys
- Family: Bathyergidae
- Suborder: Sciurognathi
- Family: Anomaluridae
- Subfamily: Anomalurinae
- Genus: Anomalurus
- Lord Derby’s scaly-tailed squirrel, Anomalurus derbianus LC
- Genus: Anomalurus
- Subfamily: Anomalurinae
- Family: Pedetidae (spring hare)
- Genus: Pedetes
- Springhare, Pedetes surdaster LC
- Genus: Pedetes
- Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
- Subfamily: Xerinae
- Tribe: Xerini
- Genus: Xerus
- Striped ground squirrel, Xerus erythropus LC
- Unstriped ground squirrel, Xerus rutilus LC
- Genus: Xerus
- Tribe: Protoxerini
- Genus: Heliosciurus
- Gambian sun squirrel, Heliosciurus gambianus LC
- Red-legged sun squirrel, Heliosciurus rufobrachium LC
- Zanj sun squirrel, Heliosciurus undulatus DD
- Genus: Paraxerus
- Boehm’s bush squirrel, Paraxerus boehmi LC
- Striped bush squirrel, Paraxerus flavovittis DD
- Ochre bush squirrel, Paraxerus ochraceus LC
- Red bush squirrel, Paraxerus palliatus LC
- Genus: Protoxerus
- Forest giant squirrel, Protoxerus stangeri LC
- Genus: Heliosciurus
- Tribe: Xerini
- Subfamily: Xerinae
- Family: Gliridae (dormice)
- Subfamily: Graphiurinae
- Genus: Graphiurus
- Small-eared dormouse, Graphiurus microtis LC
- Kellen’s dormouse, Graphiurus kelleni LC
- Genus: Graphiurus
- Subfamily: Graphiurinae
- Family: Spalacidae
- Subfamily: Tachyoryctinae
- Genus: Tachyoryctes
- Northeast African mole-rat, Tachyoryctes splendens
- Mianzini African mole-rat, Tachyoryctes annectens
- Aberdare Mountains African mole-rat, Tachyoryctes audax
- Demon African mole-rat, Tachyoryctes daemon
- Kenyan African mole-rat, Tachyoryctes ibeanus
- Navivasha African mole-rat, Tachyoryctes naivashae
- King African mole-rat, Tachyoryctes rex
- Rudd’s African mole-rat, Tachyoryctes ruddi
- Embi African mole-rat, Tachyoryctes spalacinus
- Storey’s African mole-rat, Tachyoryctes storeyi
- Genus: Tachyoryctes
- Subfamily: Tachyoryctinae
- Family: Nesomyidae
- Subfamily: Dendromurinae
- Genus: Dendromus
- Montane African climbing mouse, Dendromus insignis LC
- Brants’s climbing mouse, Dendromus mesomelas LC
- Chestnut climbing mouse, Dendromus mystacalis LC
- Genus: Steatomys
- Tiny fat mouse, Steatomys parvus LC
- Genus: Dendromus
- Subfamily: Cricetomyinae
- Genus: Beamys
- Lesser hamster-rat, Beamys hindei NT
- Genus: Cricetomys
- Emin’s pouched rat, Cricetomys emini LC
- Gambian pouched rat, Cricetomys gambianus LC
- Genus: Saccostomus
- Mearns’s pouched mouse, Saccostomus mearnsi LC
- Genus: Beamys
- Subfamily: Dendromurinae
- Family: Cricetidae
- Subfamily: Lophiomyinae
- Family: Muridae (mice, rats, voles, gerbils, hamsters, etc.)
- Subfamily: Deomyinae
- Genus: Acomys
- Gray spiny mouse, Acomys cineraceus LC
- Fiery spiny mouse, Acomys ignitus LC
- Kemp’s spiny mouse, Acomys kempi LC
- Louise’s spiny mouse, Acomys louisae LC
- Percival’s spiny mouse, Acomys percivali LC
- Wilson’s spiny mouse, Acomys wilsoni LC
- Genus: Lophuromys
- Yellow-spotted brush-furred rat, Lophuromys flavopunctatus LC
- Rusty-bellied brush-furred rat, Lophuromys sikapusi LC
- Genus: Uranomys
- Rudd’s mouse, Uranomys ruddi LC
- Genus: Acomys
- Subfamily: Otomyinae
- Genus: Otomys
- Angoni vlei rat, Otomys angoniensis LC
- Barbour’s vlei rat, Otomys barbouri EN
- Dollman’s vlei rat, Otomys dollmani DD
- Mount Elgon vlei rat, Otomys jacksoni EN
- Tanzanian vlei rat, Otomys lacustris NT
- Afroalpine vlei rat, Otomys orestes DD
- Thomas’s vlei rat, Otomys thomasi VU
- Tropical vlei rat, Otomys tropicalis LC
- Mount Kilimanjaro vlei rat, Otomys zinki VU
- Genus: Otomys
- Subfamily: Gerbillinae
- Genus: Gerbillus
- Botta’s gerbil, Gerbillus bottai DD
- Agag gerbil, Gerbillus agag DD
- Harwood’s gerbil, Gerbillus harwoodi LC
- Cushioned gerbil, Gerbillus pulvinatus LC
- Least gerbil, Gerbillus pusillus LC
- Genus: Tatera
- Boehm’s gerbil, Tatera boehmi LC
- Kemp’s gerbil, Tatera kempi LC
- Bushveld gerbil, Tatera leucogaster LC
- Black-tailed gerbil, Tatera nigricauda LC
- Phillips’s gerbil, Tatera phillipsi LC
- Fringe-tailed gerbil, Tatera robusta LC
- Savanna gerbil, Tatera valida LC
- Genus: Taterillus
- Emin’s gerbil, Taterillus emini LC
- Harrington’s gerbil, Taterillus harringtoni LC
- Genus: Gerbillus
- Subfamily: Murinae
- Genus: Aethomys
- Red rock rat, Aethomys chrysophilus LC
- Hinde’s rock rat, Aethomys hindei LC
- Kaiser’s rock rat, Aethomys kaiseri LC
- Genus: Arvicanthis
- Nairobi grass rat, Arvicanthis nairobae LC
- African grass rat, Arvicanthis niloticus LC
- Neumann’s grass rat, Arvicanthis neumanni DD
- Genus: Colomys
- African wading rat, Colomys goslingi LC
- Genus: Dasymys
- African marsh rat, Dasymys incomtus LC
- Genus: Grammomys
- Gray-headed thicket rat, Grammomys caniceps DD
- Woodland thicket rat, Grammomys dolichurus LC
- Giant thicket rat, Grammomys gigas EN
- Ruwenzori thicket rat, Grammomys ibeanus LC
- Macmillan’s thicket rat, Grammomys macmillani LC
- Genus: Hylomyscus
- Montane wood mouse, Hylomyscus denniae LC
- Stella wood mouse, Hylomyscus stella LC
- Genus: Lemniscomys
- Buffoon striped grass mouse, Lemniscomys macculus LC
- Single-striped grass mouse, Lemniscomys rosalia LC
- Typical striped grass mouse, Lemniscomys striatus LC
- Heuglin’s striped grass mouse, Lemniscomys zebra LC
- Genus: Mastomys
- Guinea multimammate mouse, Mastomys erythroleucus LC
- Natal multimammate mouse, Mastomys natalensis LC
- Dwarf multimammate mouse, Mastomys pernanus DD
- Genus: Mus
- Mahomet mouse, Mus mahomet LC
- African pygmy mouse, Mus minutoides LC
- Peters’s mouse, Mus setulosus LC
- Thomas’s pygmy mouse, Mus sorella LC
- Delicate mouse, Mus tenellus LC
- Gray-bellied pygmy mouse, Mus triton LC
- Genus: Mylomys
- African groove-toothed rat, Mylomys dybowskii LC
- Genus: Myomyscus
- Brockman’s rock mouse, Myomyscus brockmani LC
- Genus: Oenomys
- Common rufous-nosed rat, Oenomys hypoxanthus LC
- Genus: Pelomys
- Creek groove-toothed swamp rat, Pelomys fallax LC
- Hopkins’s groove-toothed swamp rat, Pelomys hopkinsi VU
- Genus: Praomys
- Delectable soft-furred mouse, Praomys delectorum NT
- Jackson’s soft-furred mouse, Praomys jacksoni LC
- Misonne’s soft-furred mouse, Praomys misonnei LC
- Genus: Rhabdomys
- Four-striped grass mouse, Rhabdomys pumilio LC
- Genus: Thallomys
- Loring’s rat, Thallomys loringi LC
- Acacia rat, Thallomys paedulcus LC
- Genus: Zelotomys
- Hildegarde’s broad-headed mouse, Zelotomys hildegardeae LC
- Genus: Aethomys
- Subfamily: Deomyinae
- Family: Anomaluridae
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: Pronolagus
- Smith’s red rock hare, P. rupestris
- Genus: Lepus
- Cape hare, L. capensis LC[16]
- Ethiopian hare, L. fagani LC[17]
- African savanna hare, L. victoriae LC[18]
- Genus: Pronolagus
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.
- Family: Erinaceidae (hedgehogs)
- Subfamily: Erinaceinae
- Genus: Atelerix
- Four-toed hedgehog, Atelerix albiventris
- Genus: Atelerix
- Subfamily: Erinaceinae
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.
- Family: Soricidae (shrews)
- Subfamily: Crocidurinae
- Genus: Crocidura
- East African highland shrew, Crocidura allex LC
- Bottego’s shrew, Crocidura bottegi DD
- Elgon shrew, Crocidura elgonius LC
- Fischer’s shrew, Crocidura fischeri DD
- Savanna shrew, Crocidura fulvastra LC
- Smoky white-toothed shrew, Crocidura fumosa LC
- Bicolored musk shrew, Crocidura fuscomurina LC
- Hildegarde’s shrew, Crocidura hildegardeae LC
- Jackson’s shrew, Crocidura jacksoni LC
- Butiaba naked-tailed shrew, Crocidura littoralis LC
- Moonshine shrew, Crocidura luna LC
- MacArthur’s shrew, Crocidura macarthuri LC
- Nyiro shrew, Crocidura macowi DD
- Dark shrew, Crocidura maurisca DD
- Kilimanjaro shrew, Crocidura monax DD
- Montane white-toothed shrew, Crocidura montis LC
- Savanna dwarf shrew, Crocidura nanilla LC
- African black shrew, Crocidura nigrofusca LC
- African giant shrew, Crocidura olivieri LC
- Small-footed shrew, Crocidura parvipes LC
- Rainey’s shrew, Crocidura raineyi DD
- Ugandan lowland shrew, Crocidura selina LC
- Turbo shrew, Crocidura turba LC
- Ultimate shrew, Crocidura ultima DD
- Savanna path shrew, Crocidura viaria LC
- Voi shrew, Crocidura voi LC
- Xanthippe’s shrew, Crocidura xantippe LC
- Yankari shrew, Crocidura yankariensis LC
- Zaphir’s shrew, Crocidura zaphiri DD
- Genus: Suncus
- Least dwarf shrew, Suncus infinitesimus LC
- Greater dwarf shrew, Suncus lixus LC
- Genus: Sylvisorex
- Grant’s forest shrew, Sylvisorex granti LC
- Climbing shrew, Sylvisorex megalura LC
- Genus: Crocidura
- Subfamily: Myosoricinae
- Genus: Surdisorex
- Aberdare mole shrew, Surdisorex norae VU
- Mount Kenya mole shrew, Surdisorex polulus VU
- Genus: Surdisorex
- Subfamily: Crocidurinae
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: Pteropodidae (flying foxes, Old World fruit bats)
- Subfamily: Pteropodinae
- Genus: Eidolon
- Straw-coloured fruit bat, Eidolon helvum LC
- Genus: Epomophorus
- Ethiopian epauletted fruit bat, Epomophorus labiatus LC
- East African epauletted fruit bat, Epomophorus minimus LC
- Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bat, Epomophorus wahlbergi LC
- Genus: Hypsignathus
- Hammer-headed bat, Hypsignathus monstrosus LC
- Genus: Lissonycteris
- Angolan rousette, Lissonycteris angolensis LC
- Genus: Micropteropus
- Peters’s dwarf epauletted fruit bat, Micropteropus pusillus LC
- Genus: Myonycteris
- East African little collared fruit bat, Myonycteris relicta VU
- Genus: Rousettus
- Egyptian fruit bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus LC
- Long-haired rousette, Rousettus lanosus LC
- Genus: Eidolon
- Subfamily: Pteropodinae
- Family: Vespertilionidae
- Subfamily: Kerivoulinae
- Genus: Kerivoula
- Damara woolly bat, Kerivoula argentata LC
- Lesser woolly bat, Kerivoula lanosa LC
- Smith’s woolly bat, Kerivoula smithi LC
- Genus: Kerivoula
- Subfamily: Myotinae
- Genus: Myotis
- Rufous mouse-eared bat, Myotis bocagii LC
- Cape hairy bat, Myotis tricolor LC
- Welwitsch’s bat, Myotis welwitschii LC
- Genus: Myotis
- Subfamily: Vespertilioninae
- Genus: Eptesicus
- Long-tailed house bat, Eptesicus hottentotus LC
- Genus: Glauconycteris
- Silvered bat, Glauconycteris argentata LC
- Beatrix’s bat, Glauconycteris beatrix NT
- Allen’s spotted bat, Glauconycteris humeralis DD
- Kenyan wattled bat, Glauconycteris kenyacola DD
- Abo bat, Glauconycteris poensis LC
- Butterfly bat, Glauconycteris variegata LC
- Genus: Hypsugo
- Broad-headed pipistrelle, Hypsugo crassulus LC
- Eisentraut’s pipistrelle, Hypsugo eisentrauti DD
- Genus: Laephotis
- De Winton’s long-eared bat, Laephotis wintoni LC
- Genus: Mimetillus
- Moloney’s mimic bat, Mimetillus moloneyi LC
- Genus: Neoromicia
- Cape serotine, Neoromicia capensis LC
- Heller’s pipistrelle, Neoromicia helios DD
- Melck’s house bat, Neoromicia melckorum DD
- Banana pipistrelle, Neoromicia nanus LC
- Rendall’s serotine, Neoromicia rendalli LC
- Somali serotine, Neoromicia somalicus LC
- White-winged serotine, Neoromicia tenuipinnis LC
- Zulu serotine, Neoromicia zuluensis LC
- Genus: Nycticeinops
- Schlieffen’s bat, Nycticeinops schlieffeni LC
- Genus: Pipistrellus
- Mount Gargues pipistrelle, Pipistrellus aero VU
- Egyptian pipistrelle, Pipistrellus deserti LC
- Tiny pipistrelle, Pipistrellus nanulus LC
- Rüppell’s pipistrelle, Pipistrellus rueppelli LC
- Rusty pipistrelle, Pipistrellus rusticus LC
- Genus: Scotoecus
- White-bellied lesser house bat, Scotoecus albigula DD
- Light-winged lesser house bat, Scotoecus albofuscus DD
- Hinde’s lesser house bat, Scotoecus hindei DD
- Dark-winged lesser house bat, Scotoecus hirundo DD
- Genus: Scotophilus
- African yellow bat, Scotophilus dinganii LC
- White-bellied yellow bat, Scotophilus leucogaster LC
- Schreber’s yellow bat, Scotophilus nigrita NT
- Nut-colored yellow bat, Scotophilus nux LC
- Greenish yellow bat, Scotophilus viridis LC
- Genus: Eptesicus
- Subfamily: Miniopterinae
- Genus: Miniopterus
- African long-fingered bat, M. africanus LC
- Lesser long-fingered bat, M. fraterculus LC
- Greater long-fingered bat, M. inflatus LC
- Least long-fingered bat, M. minor NT
- Natal long-fingered bat, M. natalensis NT
- Common bent-wing bat, M. schreibersii VU[19]
- Genus: Miniopterus
- Subfamily: Kerivoulinae
- Family: Rhinopomatidae
- Genus: Rhinopoma
- Lesser mouse-tailed bat, Rhinopoma hardwickei LC
- Macinnes’s mouse-tailed bat, Rhinopoma macinnesi VU
- Genus: Rhinopoma
- Family: Molossidae
- Genus: Chaerephon
- Gland-tailed free-tailed bat, Chaerephon bemmeleni LC
- Spotted free-tailed bat, Chaerephon bivittata LC
- Chapin’s free-tailed bat, Chaerephon chapini DD
- Lappet-eared free-tailed bat, Chaerephon major LC
- Little free-tailed bat, Chaerephon pumila LC
- Russet free-tailed bat, Chaerephon russata NT
- Genus: Mops
- Sierra Leone free-tailed bat, Mops brachypterus LC
- Angolan free-tailed bat, Mops condylurus LC
- Mongalla free-tailed bat, Mops demonstrator NT
- Midas free-tailed bat, Mops midas LC
- Dwarf free-tailed bat, Mops nanulus LC
- Railer bat, Mops thersites LC
- Genus: Otomops
- Large-eared free-tailed bat, Otomops martiensseni NT
- Genus: Platymops
- Peters’s flat-headed bat, Platymops setiger DD
- Genus: Tadarida
- Egyptian free-tailed bat, Tadarida aegyptiaca LC
- Madagascan large free-tailed bat, Tadarida fulminans LC
- Kenyan big-eared free-tailed bat, Tadarida lobata DD
- African giant free-tailed bat, Tadarida ventralis NT
- Genus: Chaerephon
- Family: Emballonuridae
- Genus: Coleura
- African sheath-tailed bat, Coleura afra LC
- Genus: Saccolaimus
- Pel’s pouched bat, Saccolaimus peli NT
- Genus: Taphozous
- Hamilton’s tomb bat, Taphozous hamiltoni NT
- Hildegarde’s tomb bat, Taphozous hildegardeae VU
- Mauritian tomb bat, Taphozous mauritianus LC
- Naked-rumped tomb bat, Taphozous nudiventris LC
- Egyptian tomb bat, Taphozous perforatus LC
- Genus: Coleura
- Family: Nycteridae
- Genus: Nycteris
- Bate’s slit-faced bat, Nycteris arge LC
- Andersen’s slit-faced bat, Nycteris aurita DD
- Large slit-faced bat, Nycteris grandis LC
- Hairy slit-faced bat, Nycteris hispida LC
- Large-eared slit-faced bat, Nycteris macrotis LC
- Dwarf slit-faced bat, Nycteris nana LC
- Egyptian slit-faced bat, Nycteris thebaica LC
- Genus: Nycteris
- Family: Megadermatidae
- Genus: Cardioderma
- Heart-nosed bat, Cardioderma cor LC
- Genus: Lavia
- Yellow-winged bat, Lavia frons LC
- Genus: Cardioderma
- Family: Rhinolophidae
- Subfamily: Rhinolophinae
- Genus: Rhinolophus
- Halcyon horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus alcyone LC
- Geoffroy’s horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus clivosus LC
- Darling’s horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus darlingi LC
- Decken’s horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus deckenii DD
- Eloquent horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus eloquens DD
- Rüppell’s horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus fumigatus LC
- Hildebrandt’s horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus hildebrandti LC
- Lander’s horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus landeri LC
- Bushveld horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus simulator LC
- Genus: Rhinolophus
- Subfamily: Hipposiderinae
- Genus: Cloeotis
- Percival’s trident bat, Cloeotis percivali VU
- Genus: Hipposideros
- Sundevall’s roundleaf bat, Hipposideros caffer LC
- Greater roundleaf bat, Hipposideros camerunensis DD
- Cyclops roundleaf bat, Hipposideros cyclops LC
- Giant roundleaf bat, Hipposideros gigas LC
- Commerson’s roundleaf bat, Hipposideros marungensis NT
- Ethiopian large-eared roundleaf bat, Hipposideros megalotis NT
- Noack’s roundleaf bat, Hipposideros ruber LC
- Genus: Triaenops
- Persian trident bat, Triaenops persicus LC
- Genus: Cloeotis
- Subfamily: Rhinolophinae
Order: Pholidota (pangolins)
The order Pholidota comprises the eight species of pangolin. Pangolins are anteaters and have the powerful claws, elongated snout and long tongue seen in the other unrelated anteater species.
- Family: Manidae
- Genus: Phataginus
- Tree pangolin, P. tricuspis EN[20]
- Genus Smutsia
- Giant pangolin, S. gigantea EN[21]
- Ground pangolin, S. temminckii VU[22]
- Genus: Phataginus
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: Balaenopteridae
- Subfamily: Balaenopterinae
- Genus: Balaenoptera
- Common minke whale, Balaenoptera acutorostrata LC
- Sei whale, Balaenoptera borealis EN
- Bryde’s whale, Balaenoptera edeni DD
- Blue whale, Balaenoptera musculus EN
- Fin whale, Balaenoptera physalus EN
- Genus: Balaenoptera
- Subfamily: Megapterinae
- Genus: Megaptera
- Humpback whale, Megaptera novaeangliae VU
- Genus: Megaptera
- Subfamily: Balaenopterinae
- Family: Balaenopteridae
- Suborder: Odontoceti
- Superfamily: Platanistoidea
- Family: Physeteridae
- Genus: Physeter
- Sperm whale, Physeter macrocephalus VU
- Genus: Physeter
- Family: Kogiidae
- Genus: Kogia
- Pygmy sperm whale, K. breviceps DD[23]
- Dwarf sperm whale, Kogia sima
- Genus: Kogia
- Family: Ziphidae
- Subfamily: Hyperoodontinae
- Genus: Indopacetus
- Longman’s beaked whale, Indopacetus pacificus DD
- Genus: Ziphius
- Cuvier’s beaked whale, Ziphius cavirostris DD
- Genus: Mesoplodon
- Blainville’s beaked whale, Mesoplodon densirostris DD
- Ginkgo-toothed beaked whale, Mesoplodon ginkgodens DD
- Genus: Indopacetus
- Subfamily: Hyperoodontinae
- Family: Delphinidae (marine dolphins)
- Genus: Steno
- Rough-toothed dolphin, Steno bredanensis DD
- Genus: Sousa
- Indian humpback dolphin, Sousa plumbea DD
- Genus: Tursiops
- Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops aduncus DD
- Common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus DD
- Genus: Stenella
- Pantropical spotted dolphin, Stenella attenuata
- Striped dolphin, Stenella coeruleoalba
- Spinner dolphin, Stenella longirostris
- Genus: Lagenodelphis
- Fraser’s dolphin, Lagenodelphis hosei DD
- Genus: Grampus
- Risso’s dolphin, Grampus griseus DD
- Genus: Feresa
- Pygmy killer whale, Feresa attenuata DD
- Genus: Pseudorca
- False killer whale, Pseudorca crassidens
- Genus: Orcinus
- Genus: Globicephala
- Short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus
- Genus: Peponocephala
- Melon-headed whale, Peponocephala electra DD
- Genus: Steno
- Family: Physeteridae
- Superfamily: Platanistoidea
Order: Carnivora (carnivorans)
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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: Acinonyx
- Cheetah, A. jubatusVU[25]
- Southeast African cheetah, A. j. jubatus
- Cheetah, A. jubatusVU[25]
- Genus: Caracal
- Caracal, C. caracal LC[26]
- African golden cat, C. aurata VU presence uncertain[27]
- Genus: Felis
- African wildcat, F. lybica LC[28]
- Genus: Leptailurus
- Genus: Acinonyx
- Subfamily: Pantherinae
- Subfamily: Felinae
- Family: Viverridae
- Subfamily: Viverrinae
- Genus: Civettictis
- African civet, C. civetta LC[32]
- Genus: Genetta
- Common genet, G. genetta LC[33]
- Rusty-spotted genet, G. maculata LC[34]
- Servaline genet, G. servalina LC[35]
- Genus: Civettictis
- Subfamily: Viverrinae
- Family: Nandiniidae
- Genus: Nandinia
- African palm civet, N. binotata LC[36]
- Genus: Nandinia
- Family: Herpestidae (mongooses)
- Genus: Atilax
- Marsh mongoose, A. paludinosus LC[37]
- Genus: Bdeogale
- Bushy-tailed mongoose, B. crassicauda LC[38]
- Jackson’s mongoose, B. jacksoni NT[39]
- Genus: Helogale
- Ethiopian dwarf mongoose, H. hirtula LC[40]
- Common dwarf mongoose, H. parvula LC[41]
- Genus: Herpestes
- Egyptian mongoose, H. ichneumon LC[42]
- Somalian slender mongoose, H. ochracheus LC[43]
- Common slender mongoose, H. sanguineus LC[44]
- Genus: Ichneumia
- White-tailed mongoose, I. albicauda LC[45]
- Genus: Mungos
- Banded mongoose, M. mungo LC[46]
- Genus: Atilax
- Family: Hyaenidae (hyaenas)
- Genus: Crocuta
- Spotted hyena, C. crocuta LC[47]
- Genus: Hyaena
- Striped hyena, H. hyaena NT[48]
- Genus: Proteles
- Genus: Crocuta
- Family: Felidae (cats)
- Suborder: Caniformia
- Family: Canidae (dogs, foxes)
- Genus: Canis
- African golden wolf, C. lupaster LC[50]
- Genus: Lupulella
- Side-striped jackal, L. adusta LC
- Black-backed jackal, L. mesomelas LC
- Genus: Otocyon
- Bat-eared fox, O. megalotis LC[51]
- Genus: Lycaon
- African wild dog, L. pictus EN[52]
- Genus: Canis
- Family: Mustelidae (mustelids)
- Genus: Ictonyx
- Striped polecat, I. striatus LC[53]
- Genus: Poecilogale
- African striped weasel, P. albinucha LC[54]
- Genus: Mellivora
- Honey badger, M. capensis LC[55]
- Genus: Hydrictis
- Speckle-throated otter, H. maculicollis NT[56]
- Genus: Aonyx
- African clawless otter, A. capensis NT[57]
- Genus: Ictonyx
- Family: Canidae (dogs, foxes)
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.
- Family: Equidae (horses etc.)
- Genus: Equus
- Grevy’s zebra, E. grevyi EN
- Plains zebra, E. quaggaNT
- Grant’s zebra, E. q. boehmi
- Maneless zebra, E. q. borensis
- Genus: Equus
- Family: Rhinocerotidae
- Genus: Diceros
- Black rhinoceros, D. bicornisCR
- Uganda black rhinoceros, D. b. ladoensis
- Eastern black rhinoceros, D. b. michaeli
- Black rhinoceros, D. bicornisCR
- Genus: Ceratotherium
- White rhinoceros, C. simum
- Southern white rhinoceros, C. s. simum NT reintroduced
- White rhinoceros, C. simum
- Genus: Diceros
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: Suidae (pigs)
- Subfamily: Phacochoerinae
- Genus: Phacochoerus
- Desert warthog, Phacochoerus aethiopicus
- Common warthog, Phacochoerus africanus
- Genus: Phacochoerus
- Subfamily: Suinae
- Genus: Hylochoerus
- Giant forest hog, Hylochoerus meinertzhageni
- Genus: Potamochoerus
- Bushpig, Potamochoerus larvatus
- Genus: Hylochoerus
- Subfamily: Phacochoerinae
- Family: Hippopotamidae (hippopotamuses)
- Genus: Hippopotamus
- Hippopotamus, Hippopotamus amphibius VU
- Genus: Hippopotamus
- Family: Giraffidae (giraffe, okapi)
- Genus: Giraffa
- Nubian giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis camelopardalis CR
- Reticulated giraffe, Giraffa reticulata VU
- Masai giraffe, Giraffa tippelskirchi VU
- Rothschild’s giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi EN
- Genus: Giraffa
- Family: Bovidae (cattle, antelope, sheep, goats)
- Subfamily: Alcelaphinae
- Genus: Alcelaphus
- Hartebeest, A. buselaphus LC[58]
- Genus: Connochaetes
- Blue wildebeest, Connochaetes taurinus
- Genus: Damaliscus
- Topi, Damaliscus lunatus
- Genus: Beatragus
- Hirola, Beatragus hunteri CR
- Genus: Alcelaphus
- Subfamily: Antilopinae
- Genus: Gazella
- Grant’s gazelle, Gazella granti
- Soemmerring’s gazelle, Gazella soemmerringii VU
- Thomson’s gazelle, Gazella thomsonii
- Genus: Litocranius
- Gerenuk, Litocranius walleri
- Genus: Madoqua
- Günther’s dik-dik, Madoqua guentheri
- Kirk’s dik-dik, Madoqua kirkii
- Salt’s dik-dik, Madoqua saltiana
- Genus: Neotragus
- Suni, Neotragus moschatus
- Genus: Oreotragus
- Klipspringer, Oreotragus oreotragus
- Genus: Ourebia
- Oribi, Ourebia ourebi
- Genus: Raphicerus
- Steenbok, Raphicerus campestris
- Genus: Gazella
- Subfamily: Bovinae
- Genus: Syncerus
- African buffalo, S. caffer NT[59]
- Genus: Tragelaphus
- Bongo, Tragelaphus eurycerus
- Lesser kudu, Tragelaphus imberbis
- Common eland, Tragelaphus oryx
- Bushbuck, Tragelaphus scriptus
- Sitatunga, Tragelaphus spekii
- Greater kudu, Tragelaphus strepsiceros
- Genus: Syncerus
- Subfamily: Cephalophinae
- Genus: Cephalophus
- Aders’s duiker, Cephalophus adersi CR
- Peters’s duiker, Cephalophus callipygus
- Harvey’s duiker, Cephalophus harveyi
- Blue duiker, Cephalophus monticola
- Black-fronted duiker, Cephalophus nigrifrons
- Yellow-backed duiker, Cephalophus silvicultor
- Weyns’s duiker, Cephalophus weynsi
- Genus: Sylvicapra
- Common duiker, Sylvicapra grimmia
- Genus: Cephalophus
- Subfamily: Hippotraginae
- Genus: Hippotragus
- Roan antelope, Hippotragus equinus
- Sable antelope, Hippotragus niger
- Genus: Oryx
- Common beisa oryx, Oryx beisa beisa
- Fringe-eared oryx, Oryx beisa callotis VU
- Genus: Hippotragus
- Subfamily: Aepycerotinae
- Subfamily: Reduncinae
- Genus: Kobus
- Genus: Redunca
- Mountain reedbuck, Redunca fulvorufula LC
- Bohor reedbuck, Redunca redunca
- Subfamily: Alcelaphinae
Conclusion
Kenya’s mammal species are diverse, and many face significant threats that require immediate attention. Through dedicated conservation efforts, Kenya has made substantial progress in protecting its wildlife. However, continuous action is necessary to ensure that species such as the African elephant, Grevy’s zebra, and cheetah do not face extinction. The future of Kenya’s mammals depends on collaborative conservation efforts that involve government agencies, local communities, and international organizations. Preserving these species is not just about saving animals; it’s about protecting the ecosystem and the future of Kenya’s wildlife heritage.
