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List of threatened mammals of Brazil facts for kids

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Brazil is home to over 700 different kinds of mammals! But sadly, about 110 of these amazing creatures are in danger of disappearing forever. One species is already extinct, meaning it's gone from the world. These numbers come from the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio) and Brazil's Ministry of the Environment.

Cervo do pantano
The marsh deer (Blastocerus dichotomus) is a vulnerable species according to ICMBio and IUCN.

When we say a species is "threatened," it means it's at risk of becoming extinct. Brazil uses the same rules as a big international group called IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) to decide which animals are threatened.

Mammals are grouped into different families, like how your family has a last name. In Brazil, there are 12 main groups (called "orders") of mammals. Almost all of these groups have species that are in danger. For example, rodents are the most diverse group of mammals, but the group with the most threatened species is the Primates (monkeys and their relatives), with 34 species at risk.

A list of these threatened species was officially published in Brazil in 2014. Even though some animals, like the humpback whale, were taken off the list, the total number of threatened species actually went up! Animals like the Brazilian tapir, the white-lipped peccary, and the short-eared dog were added. Sometimes, an animal might be threatened in one part of Brazil but not everywhere.

It's interesting that the ICMBio list and the IUCN list can sometimes be different, even though they use the same rules. This happens because different scientists do their research at different times. Most of Brazil's threatened mammals are considered "vulnerable," which means they are at high risk. One species, Vespucci's rodent, is now extinct. Two others, the black-shouldered opossum and the candango mouse, are "probably extinct" in Brazil.

Threatened Mammals of Brazil (2014)

Opossums (Didelphimorphia)

Myresluger2
The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is a vulnerable species.
Giant armadillo
The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) is a vulnerable species.

Opossums are small to medium-sized marsupials, meaning they carry their babies in a pouch. Some opossums in Brazil are facing big challenges.

  • Caluromysiops irrupta (black-shouldered opossum) - This one is probably extinct in Brazil.
  • Marmosops paulensis (Brazilian slender opossum)
  • Thylamys macrurus (Paraguayan fat-tailed mouse opossum)
  • Thylamys velutinus (dwarf fat-tailed mouse opossum)

Anteaters and Sloths (Pilosa)

This group includes some unique animals known for their slow movements or long tongues.

Three-toed Sloths (Bradypodidae)

  • Bradypus torquatus (maned sloth) - This sloth has a special mane of fur around its neck.

Anteaters (Myrmecophagidae)

  • Myrmecophaga tridactyla (giant anteater) - The giant anteater is a very unique animal with a long snout and tongue for eating ants and termites.

Armadillos (Cingulata)

Armadillos are known for their tough, bony shells.

  • Priodontes maximus (giant armadillo) - This is the largest armadillo species.
  • Tolypeutes tricinctus (Brazilian three-banded armadillo) - This armadillo can roll itself into a perfect ball for protection.

Bats (Chiroptera)

Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly. Many bat species are important for pollinating plants and controlling insects.

Smoky Bats (Furipteridae)

Funnel-eared Bats (Natalidae)

  • Natalus macrourus (Brazilian funnel-eared bat)

New World Leaf-nosed Bats (Phyllostomidae)

  • Glyphonycteris behnii (Behn's bat)
  • Lonchophylla aurita
  • Lonchophylla dekeyseri (Dekeyser's nectar bat)
  • Xeronycteris vieirai (Vieira's long-tongued bat)

Vesper Bats (Vespertilionidae)

  • Eptesicus taddeii

Monkeys, Marmosets, and Tamarins (Primates)

Black lion tamarin Pontal do Paranapanema 5
The black lion tamarin (Leontopithecus chrysopygus) is an endangered species from São Paulo inland.
Southern muriqui Sao Paulo Zoo 2
The southern muriqui (Brachyteles arachnoides) is an endangered species from the Serra do Mar coastal forests from São Paulo and Paraná.
Sapajus xanthosternos 3
The golden-bellied capuchin (Sapajus xanthosternos) is a critically endangered species from the Bahia coastal forests.

Brazil is home to many different kinds of monkeys, and sadly, many of them are threatened.

Howlers, Spider and Woolly Monkeys, Muriquis (Atelidae)

Tamarins and Marmosets (Callitrichidae)

Capuchins and Squirrel Monkeys (Cebidae)

Titis, Saki Monkeys, and Uakaris (Pitheciidae)

Cats, Dogs, and Relatives (Carnivora)

Jaguar in Pantanal Brazil 1
The jaguar (Panthera onca) is a vulnerablefelid.
Aguara1
The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachiurus) is a vulnerable canid.

This group includes some of Brazil's most famous predators.

Dogs (Canidae)

Otters (Mustelidae)

Cats (Felidae)

Whales and Dolphins (Cetacea)

Southern Right Whale (Eubalaena australis) (16358018502)
The southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) is an endangered species.
Amazonas-Flussdelfin Orinoko3
The Amazon river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis) is a vulnerable river dolphin from the Amazon basin.

Many marine mammals that visit or live in Brazilian waters are also at risk.

Whales (Balaenidae)

  • Eubalaena australis (southern right whale) - These large whales are known for their distinctive callosities (rough patches of skin).

Rorquals (Balaenopteridae)

Dolphins (Delphinidae)

  • Sotalia guianensis (Guiana dolphin)

River Dolphins (Iniidae)

  • Inia geoffrensis (Amazon river dolphin) - These unique dolphins live in freshwater rivers.

River Dolphins (Pontoporiidae)

Manatees (Sirenia)

Two manatee rooting for food in bottom sand
The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is critically endangered in Brazil.

Manatees are gentle, slow-moving marine mammals.

  • Trichechus inunguis (Amazonian manatee)
  • Trichechus manatus (West Indian manatee) - This manatee is critically endangered in Brazil.

Odd-toed Ungulates (Perissodactyla)

Anta pantanal
The Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is the only Brazilian odd-toed ungulate and it is a vulnerable species.

This group includes animals with an odd number of toes on each foot.

Tapirs (Tapiridae)

  • Tapirus terrestris (Brazilian tapir) - The Brazilian tapir is the largest land mammal in South America.

Even-toed Ungulates (Artiodactyla)

Mazama nana 2
The pygmy brocket (Mazama nana) is a brocket deer from southern Brazil and it is a critically endangered species.
Tayassu pecari
The white-lipped peccary (Tayassu pecari) is vulnerable species in Brazil.

These animals have an even number of toes.

Deer (Cervidae)

  • Blastocerus dichotomus (marsh deer) - This is the largest deer in South America.
  • Mazama nana (pygmy brocket) - A very small deer from southern Brazil.
  • Ozotoceros bezoarticus bezoarticus (Pampas deer)

Peccaries (Tayassuidae)

  • Tayassu pecari (white-lipped peccary) - These wild pigs live in large groups.

Rodents (Rodentia)

Kerodon rupestris
The rock cavy (Kerodon rupestris) is vulnerable species.

Rodents are a very diverse group, including mice, rats, and cavies.

Cavies (Caviidae)

New World Rats and Mice (Cricetidae)

  • Juscelinomys candango (candango mouse) - This mouse is probably extinct in Brazil.
  • Noronhomys vespuccii (Vespucci's rodent) - This rodent is now extinct.

Tuco-tucos (Ctenomyidae)

  • Ctenomys flamarioni (Flamarion's tuco-tuco)

Echimyidae

  • Callistomys pictus (painted tree-rat)
  • Phyllomys thomasi (giant Atlantic tree-rat)

New World Porcupine (Erethizontidae)

  • Chaetomys subspinosus (bristle-spined rat)

See also

  • List of mammals of Brazil
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