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 :
EX
Extinct
The last individual has died without doubt.
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, as only less than 250 individuals survive.
EN
Endangered
The species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild, as the population consists of less than 2500 individuals.
VU
Vulnerable
The species is facing a high risk of extinction in the wild, as the population consists of less than 10000 individuals.
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.
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.
Indian desert jird
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.
Suborder: Hystricomorpha
Suborder: Sciurognathi
Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
Family: Gliridae (dormice)
Family: Dipodidae (jerboas)
Family: Spalacidae
Family: Calomyscidae
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Cricetinae
Subfamily: Arvicolinae
Genus: Arvicola
Genus: Blanfordimys
Genus: Chionomys
Genus: Ellobius
Genus: Microtus
Günther's vole , Microtus guentheri LC
Persian vole , Microtus irani LC
Baluchistan vole , Microtus kermanensis EN
Altai vole , Microtus obscurus LC
Social vole , Microtus socialis LC
Transcaspian vole , Microtus transcaspicus LC
European pine vole , Microtus subterraneus LC
Common vole , Microtus arvalis LC
Major's pine vole , Microtus majori LC
Sibling vole , Microtus levis
Qazvin vole , Microtus qazvinensis
Paradox vole , Microtus paradoxus
Schelkovnikov's pine vole , Microtus schelkovnikovi
Daghestan pine vole , Microtus daghestanicus
Family: Muridae (mice, rats, voles, gerbils, hamsters, etc.)
Family: Myocastoridae
European hare
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.
Family: Leporidae
Family: Ochotonidae
Brandt's hedgehog
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.
Lesser white-toothed shrew
The "shrew-forms" are insectivorous mammals. The shrews and solenodons closely resemble mice while the moles are stout-bodied burrowers.
Egyptian fruit bat
Serotine bat
Lesser noctule
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.
Arabian humpback whales off Oman
Spinner dolphins in Gulf of Oman
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 .[ 29]
Lion in Iran photographed by Antoin Sevruguin (1830s–1933). The Asiatic lion reportedly disappeared here before the end of the 20th century.
Persian leopard
Turkestan sand cat
Striped hyena
Indian wolf
Asiatic black bear
There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which feed primarily on meat. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.
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.
Chinkara
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.
The following species are locally extinct in Iran:
^ Marsh, H. & Sobtzick, S. (2019). "Dugong dugon " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019 : e.T6909A160756767.
^ Amori, G.; Hutterer, R.; Kryštufek, B.; Yigit, N.; Mitsain, G. & Palomo, L. J. (2016). "Hystrix indica " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T10751A115099509.
^ Batsaikhan, N.; Henttonen, H.; Meinig, H.; Shenbrot, G., Bukhnikashvili, A., Hutterer, R., Kryštufek, B., Yigit, N., Mitsain, G. & Palomo, L. (2016). "Arvicola amphibius " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T2149A115060819. {{cite journal }}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link )
^ Musser, G.; Hutterer, R.; Kryštufek, B.; Yigit, N. & Mitsain, G. (2016). "Mus musculus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T13972A115117618.
^ Ruedas, L. (2016). "Rattus norvegicus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T19353A165118026.
^ Kryštufek, B.; Palomo, L.J.; Hutterer, R.; Mitsain, G. & Yigit, N. (2015). "Rattus rattus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015 : e.T19360A115148682.
^ Johnston, C.H.; Robinson, T.J.; Child, M.F. & Relton, C. (2019). "Lepus capensis " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019 : e.T41277A45186750.
^ Hacklande, K. & Schai-Braun, S. (2019). "Lepus europaeus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019 : e.T41280A45187424.
^ Smith, A.T. & Johnston, C.H. (2019). "Lepus tolai " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019 : e.T41308A45193447.
^ Hutterer, R.; Amori, G.; Krystufek, B.; Yigit, N.; Mitsain, G. & Palomo, L.J. (2010). "Crocidura suaveolens " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010 : e.T29656A9511068.
^ Hutson, A. M.; Spitzenberger, F.; Aulagnier, S.; Juste, J.; Karatas, A.; Palmeirim, J. & Paunovic, M. (2010). "Myotis capaccinii " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010 : e.T14126A4399043.
^ Paunović, M. (2019). "Myotis bechsteinii " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019 : e.T14123A22053752.
^ Juste, J. & Paunović, M. (2016). "Myotis blythii " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T14124A22053297.
^ Piraccini, R. (2016). "Myotis emarginatus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T14129A22051191.
^ Coroiu, I. (2016). "Myotis mystacinus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T14134A22052250.
^ Gazaryan, S.; Kruskop, S.V. & Godlevska, L. (2020). "Myotis nattereri " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 : e.T85733032A22052584.
^ Piraccini, R. (2016). "Myotis schaubi " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T14198A22061746.
^ Hutson, A. M.; Spitzenberger, F.; Juste, J.; Aulagnier, S.; Palmeirim, J.; Paunovic, M. & Karatas, A. (2010). "Hypsugo savii " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010 : e.T44856A10955205.
^ Hutson, A. M.; Alcaldé, J. T.; Juste, J.; Karataş, A.; Palmeirim, J. & Paunović, M. (2010). "Nyctalus lasiopterus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2010 : e.T14918A4471682.
^ Juste, J. & Paunović, M. (2016). "Nyctalus leisleri " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T14919A22016159.
^ Csorba, G. & Hutson, A.M. (2016). "Nyctalus noctula " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T14920A22015682.
^ Gazaryan, S.; Kruskop, S.V. & Godlevska, L. (2021) [errata version of 2020 assessment]. "Plecotus auritus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 : e.T85535522A195861341.
^ Benda, P.; Srinivasulu, C.; Srinivasulu, B. (2019). "Rhyneptesicus nasutus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019 : e.T7935A22117147.
^ Taylor, P. (2016). "Rhinolophus blasii " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T19515A21972073.
^ Juste, J. & Alcaldé, J. (2016). "Rhinolophus euryale " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T19516A21971185.
^ Piraccini, R. (2016). "Rhinolophus ferrumequinum " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T19517A21973253.
^ Taylor, P. (2016). "Rhinolophus hipposideros " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T19518A21972794.
^ Alcaldé, J.; Benda, P. & Juste, J. (2016). "Rhinolophus mehelyi " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T19519A21974380.
^ "Marine mammal records from Iran" (PDF) . Convention of Biological Diversity .
^ "New Arabian Humpback Whale Species Located in Oman" . Green Prophet . April 24, 2011.
^ Jowkar, H.; Hunter, L.; Ziaie, H.; Marker, L.; Breitenmoser-Würsten, C. & Durant, S. (2008). "Acinonyx jubatus ssp. venaticus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2008 : e.T220A13035342.
^ Avgan, B.; Henschel, P. & Ghoddousi, A. (2016). "Caracal caracal " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T3847A102424310.
^ Gray, T.N.E.; Timmins, R.J.; Jathana, D.; Duckworth, J.W.; Baral, H. & Mukherjee, S. (2016). "Felis chaus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T8540A50651463.
^ Ghoddousi, A.; Belbachir, F.; Durant, S.M.; Herbst, M. & Rosen, T. (2022). "Felis lybica " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2022 : e.T131299383A154907281. doi :10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T131299383A154907281.en .
^ Sliwa, A.; Ghadirian, T.; Appel, A.; Banfield, L.; Sher Shah, M. & Wacher, T. (2016). "Felis margarita " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T8541A50651884.
^ Breitenmoser, U.; Breitenmoser-Würsten, C.; Lanz, T.; von Arx, M.; Antonevich, A.; Bao, W. & Avgan, B. (2015). "Lynx lynx " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015 : e.T12519A121707666.
^ Ross, S.; Barashkova, A.; Dhendup, T.; Munkhtsog, B.; Smelansky, I.; Barclay, D. & Moqanaki, E. (2020). "Otocolobus manul " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 : e.T15640A180145377.
^ Stein, A. B.; Athreya, V.; Gerngross, P.; Balme, G.; Henschel, P.; Karanth, U.; Miquelle, D.; Rostro, S.; Kamler, J.F. & Laguardia, A. (2016). "Panthera pardus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T15954A102421779.
^ Jennings, A. & Veron, G. (2016). "Herpestes auropunctatus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T70204120A70204139.
^ Mudappa, D. & Choudhury, A. (2016). "Herpestes edwardsii " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T41611A45206787.
^ AbiSaid, M. & Dloniak, S.M.D. (2015). "Hyaena hyaena " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015 : e.T10274A45195080.
^ Hoffmann, M.; Arnold, J.; Duckworth, J. W.; Jhala , Y.; Kamler, J. F. & Krofel, M. (2018). "Canis aureus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018 : e.T118264161A46194820.
^ Boitani, L.; Phillips, M. & Jhala , Y. (2018). "Canis lupus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018 : e.T3746A119623865. {{cite journal }}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link )
^ Hoffmann, M. & Sillero-Zubiri, C. (2015). "Vulpes cana " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015 : e.T23050A48075169.
^ Mallon, D.; Murdoch, J.D. & Wacher, T. (2015). "Vulpes rueppelli " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015 : e.T23053A46197483.
^ Hoffmann, M. & Sillero-Zubiri, C. (2016). "Vulpes vulpes " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T23062A46190249.
^ McLellan, B. N.; Proctor, M. F.; Huber, D. & Michel, S. (2017). "Ursus arctos " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017 : e.T41688A121229971.
^ Garshelis, D. L. & Steinmetz, R. (2016). "Ursus thibetanus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T22824A114252336.
^ Roos, A.; Loy, A.; de Silva, P.; Hajkova, P.; Zemanová, B. (2015). "Lutra lutra " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015 : e.T12419A21935287.
^ Abramov, A. V.; Kranz, A.; Herrero, J.; Krantz, A.; Choudhury, A. & Maran, T. (2016). "Martes foina " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T29672A45202514.
^ Herrero, J.; Kranz, A.; Skumatov, D.; Abramov, A.V.; Maran, T. & Monakhov, V.G. (2016). "Martes martes " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T12848A45199169.
^ Do Linh San, E.; Begg, C.; Begg, K. & Abramov, A. V. (2016). "Mellivora capensis " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T41629A45210107.
^ 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.
^ Abramov, A.V.; Kranz, A. & Maran, T. (2016). "Vormela peregusna " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T29680A45203971.
^ Goodman, S. & Dmitrieva, L. (2016). "Pusa caspica " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T41669A4523070.
^ IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2017). "Gazella bennettii " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017 : e.T8978A50187762.
^ IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2017). "Gazella subgutturosa " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017 : e.T8976A50187422.
^ Weinberg, P. & Ambarli, H. (2020). "Capra aegagrus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 : e.T3786A22145942.
^ Michel, S. & Ghoddousi, A. (2020). "Ovis gmelini " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 : e.T54940218A22147055.
^ Michel, S. & Ghoddousi, A. (2020). "Ovis vignei " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2020 : e.T54940655A54940728. {{cite journal }}
: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link )
^ Lovari, S.; Lorenzini, R.; Masseti, M.; Pereladova, O.; Carden, R.F.; Brook, S.M. & Mattioli, S. (2018). "Cervus elaphus " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2018 : e.T55997072A142404453.
^ Keuling, O. & Leus, K. (2019). "Sus scrofa " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2019 : e.T41775A44141833.
^ Rowley-Conwya, P.A.; Leggea, A.J. (1986). "The beaver (Castor fiber L.) in the Tigris-Euphrates basin". Journal of Archaeological Science . 13 (5): 469–476. Bibcode :1986JArSc..13..469L . doi :10.1016/0305-4403(86)90016-6 .
^ Bauer, H.; Packer, C.; Funston, P. F.; Henschel, P. & Nowell, K. (2016). "Panthera leo " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2016 : e.T15951A115130419.
^ Goodrich, J.; Lynam, A.; Miquelle, D.; Wibisono, H.; Kawanishi, K.; Pattanavibool, A.; Htun, S.; Tempa, T.; Karki, J.; Jhala, Y. & Karanth, U. (2015). "Panthera tigris " . IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2015 : e.T15955A50659951.