There are 27 mammal species native to Ireland or naturalised in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland before 1500. The Red List of Irish terrestrial mammals was updated in 2019, with assessments of these 27 species. One species is locally extinct, one is vulnerable and 25 are least concern species. Not assessed were nine mammal species that were introduced after 1500.[1]
The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed on the IUCN Red List:
NE indicates not endemic
Order: Diprotodontia (kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and allies)
Though most marsupials make up a great part of the fauna in the Australian region, the red-necked wallaby has been introduced to Ireland: a population is currently breeding on Lambay island.[2]
Family: Macropodidae (kangaroos, wallabies, and kin)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Carnivorans include over 260 species, the majority of which eat meat as their primary dietary item. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.
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.
^ a b c d e fMarnell, F.; Looney, D. & Lawton, C. (2019). Ireland Red List No. 12: Terrestrial Mammals. Belfast, Dublin and Galway: Northern Ireland Environment Agency, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and National University of Ireland.
^"How a colony of wallabies made an island off Dublin their home". 29 July 2017.
^Amori, G.; Hutterer, R.; Kryštufek, B.; Yigit, N.; Mitsain, G.; Muñoz, L. J. P. (2010). "Sciurus vulgaris". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T20025A9136220.
^Kryštufek, B.; Palomo, L.J.; Hutterer, R.; Mitsain, G. & Yigit, N. (2015). "Rattus rattus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T19360A115148682.
^Emma Sheehy, Colin Lawton, 2015 Distribution of the non-native Hazel Dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) in Ireland. Irish Naturalists' Journal Volume 34, Part 1: 13-16.
^Kelly, Olivia (22 March 2019). "Invasive rodent spotted along Dublin's Royal Canal". The Irish Times.
^Conroy, MacDara (21 March 2019). "Appeal For Sightings Of Invasive Coypu On Royal Canal In Dublin". AFloat.
^Hutson, A. M.; Spitzenberger, F.; Juste, J.; Aulagnier, S.; Palmeirim, J.; Karatas, A. & Paunovic, M. (2010). "Pipistrellus nathusii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2010: e.T17316A6966886.
^Cooke, J.G. (2020) [errata version of 2020 assessment]. "Eubalaena glacialis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T41712A178589687. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
^Cotton, D.C.F. (2007). "A critical review of Irish records of walrus Odobenus rosmarus (L.) with some unpublished observations from Counties Donegal, Sligo, and Galway". Ir. Nat. J. 28: 349–355.
^ a b cAnnett, Judith A. "Deer Management in Ireland" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-10-20. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
^McLellan, B. N.; Proctor, M. F.; Huber, D. & Michel, S. (2017). "Ursus arctos". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T41688A121229971.
External links
"Marnell, F., Kingston, N. & Looney, D. (2009) Ireland Red List No. 3: Terrestrial Mammals, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Dublin, Ireland" (PDF). National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government,Dublin, Ireland. 2009. Retrieved 6 June 2010.[permanent dead link]
"Animal Diversity Web". University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. 1995–2006. Retrieved 22 May 2007.
Smiddy, P. 1999 Re-assessment of the Irish records of ringed, harp and hooded seals. Irish Naturalists' Journal 26: 249-250
Ulster Museum Northern Ireland Mammals, Amphibians and Reptiles. Includes more extinct mammals.
NPWS Breeding populations of Grey seals in the Republic of Ireland
Irish Whale and Dolphin Group
After 5,000 years, Kerry red deer as Irish as can be, DNA analysis shows