List of near threatened mammals facts for kids

Near threatened (NT) species do not currently qualify for critically endangered (CR), endangered (EN) or vulnerable (VU) statuses, but are likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future, or already close to qualifying.

Imagine a special list that tells us which animals might be in trouble. This list is made by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In September 2016, they looked at many different kinds of mammals. They found that 343 types of mammals were "near threatened." This means these animals are not in immediate danger of disappearing, but they could be soon if we don't help them. About 6 out of every 100 mammals they checked were in this "near threatened" group. The IUCN also listed 31 kinds of mammal subspecies (smaller groups within a species) as near threatened. This article will tell you about some of these amazing mammals.

Mammals Close to Danger

Many different types of mammals are on the "near threatened" list. This means their numbers are getting low, and they need our attention to make sure they don't become truly endangered.

Odd-Toed Hoofed Animals

These are mammals like horses and rhinos that have an odd number of toes on each foot. Species

Subspecies

Primates: Monkeys and Apes

Primates include monkeys, apes, and lemurs. Many of them live in forests and are losing their homes. Species

Subspecies

Cetartiodactyls: Whales, Dolphins, and Hoofed Mammals

This large group includes animals like deer, pigs, cows, and even whales and dolphins! There are 31 species and eight subspecies in this group that are near threatened.

Even-Toed Hoofed Animals

These animals have an even number of toes.

Pigs and Wild Boars

Species

• Celebes warty pig

Subspecies

• Sus barbatus oi

Deer Species

Species

Subspecies

• Alaska moose

Bovids: Cattle, Goats, and Antelopes

Species

Subspecies

Cetaceans: Whales and Dolphins

Species

Subpopulations of species

• Bowhead whale (1 subpopulation)

Subpopulations of subspecies

• Northern blue whale (1 subpopulation)

Marsupials: Pouch Mammals

Marsupials are mammals that often carry their young in a pouch, like kangaroos. There are 41 marsupial species on the near threatened list.

Kangaroos, Wallabies, and Possums

Shrew Opossums

• Gray-bellied caenolestid
• Long-nosed caenolestid

Monito del Monte

• Monito del monte

Carnivorous Marsupials

This group includes many meat-eating marsupials from Australia.

Opossums

Carnivores: Meat Eaters

This group includes many well-known predators like cats, dogs, and otters. Species

Subspecies

• Atlantic walrus

Afrosoricida: Tenrecs and Golden Moles

These are small, often burrowing, mammals mostly found in Africa.

Eulipotyphla: Shrews, Moles, and Hedgehogs

This group includes many small, insect-eating mammals.

Lagomorpha: Rabbits and Hares

These are hopping mammals known for their long ears.

Rodents: Gnawing Mammals

Rodents are the largest group of mammals, including mice, rats, and squirrels. There are 106 rodent species assessed as near threatened.

Porcupine-like Rodents

Mice, Rats, and Relatives

There are 63 species in this group that are near threatened.

Murids: True Mice and Rats

This family includes many common mice, rats, and gerbils.

Cricetids: Hamsters, Voles, and New World Rats

This group includes true hamsters, voles, lemmings, and New World rats and mice.

Mole-Rats

• Balkan mole-rat
• Kazakhstan blind mole-rat

Jerboas and Birch Mice

Beaver-like Rodents

Squirrels, Chipmunks, and Marmots

There are 25 species in this group that are near threatened.

Sciurids: Squirrels and Relatives

This family includes squirrels, chipmunks, marmots, susliks, and prairie dogs.

Dormice

• Garden dormouse

Cingulata: Armadillos

These unique mammals have a bony armor shell.

Chiroptera: Bats

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly. There are 79 bat species assessed as near threatened.

Megabats: Fruit Bats

These bats usually eat fruit and nectar.

Microbats: Small Bats

These bats often use echolocation to find insects. There are 63 microbat species assessed as near threatened.

Old World Leaf-Nosed Bats

Horseshoe Bats

Vesper Bats

Leaf-Nosed Bats

Other Microbat Species

Other Mammal Species

This section includes other unique mammals that are near threatened.

See also

• Lists of IUCN Red List near threatened species
• List of least concern mammals
• List of vulnerable mammals
• List of endangered mammals
• List of critically endangered mammals
• List of recently extinct mammals
• List of data deficient mammals