This list of the mammal species in Afghanistan provides information about the status of the 129 mammal species occurring in
Afghanistan. Four are endangered, twelve are vulnerable, and five are near threatened.[1]
The following classes, which lie on a spectrum of lowest to highest risk of extinction, are used to highlight each species' global conservation status as assessed on the
IUCN Red List:
LC
Least concern
There are no current identifiable risks to the species.
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.
VU
Vulnerable
The species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
EN
Endangered
The species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
CR
Critically endangered
The species is in imminent risk of extinction in the wild.
EW
Extinct in the wild
The species is known only to survive in captivity or as a naturalized population well outside its previous range.
EX
Extinct
There is no reasonable doubt that the last individual of the species has died.
DD
Data deficient
There is inadequate information to make an assessment of the risks to this species.
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.
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.
The following species are listed as historically present:[13]
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 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 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.
Rodents make up the largest order of mammals, with over 40 percent 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 (100 lb).
^McDonald, R. A.; Abramov, A. V.; Stubbe, M.; Herrero, J.; Maran, T.; Tikhonov, A.; Cavallini, P.; Kranz, A.; Giannatos, G.; Kryštufek, B. & Reid, F. (2019).
"Mustela nivalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T70207409A147993366.
This list of the mammal species in Afghanistan provides information about the status of the 129 mammal species occurring in
Afghanistan. Four are endangered, twelve are vulnerable, and five are near threatened.[1]
The following classes, which lie on a spectrum of lowest to highest risk of extinction, are used to highlight each species' global conservation status as assessed on the
IUCN Red List:
LC
Least concern
There are no current identifiable risks to the species.
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.
VU
Vulnerable
The species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
EN
Endangered
The species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
CR
Critically endangered
The species is in imminent risk of extinction in the wild.
EW
Extinct in the wild
The species is known only to survive in captivity or as a naturalized population well outside its previous range.
EX
Extinct
There is no reasonable doubt that the last individual of the species has died.
DD
Data deficient
There is inadequate information to make an assessment of the risks to this species.
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.
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.
The following species are listed as historically present:[13]
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 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 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.
Rodents make up the largest order of mammals, with over 40 percent 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 (100 lb).
^McDonald, R. A.; Abramov, A. V.; Stubbe, M.; Herrero, J.; Maran, T.; Tikhonov, A.; Cavallini, P.; Kranz, A.; Giannatos, G.; Kryštufek, B. & Reid, F. (2019).
"Mustela nivalis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T70207409A147993366.