FAUNA PARAGUAY LIST OF THE MAMMALS OF PARAGUAY

The following is a list of the 173 mammal species currently accepted on the Paraguayan list updated with the help of Dr Robert Owen. Names are given in the following order - scientific, English, Spanish and Guaraní. Spanish and Guaraní names provided are based on Esquivel (2001) Mamiferos de la Reserva Natural del Bosque Mbaracayú and Villalba and Yanosky (2000) Guía de Huellas y Señales. Spanish names of bats follow Bats of Argentina Barquez et al (1993). Global conservation status is given in red after the species name and follows the 2009 IUCN red list categories. All references used are available in the FAUNA Paraguay library. Numbers in brackets after the order and family names refer to the number of species recorded in Paraguay.
Additionaly comparative skull galleries are presented for many families, allowing rapid cross reference of major characters of several species.
Click on taxonomic links for more detailed information about the group.
Click on species links for access to the image gallery of the species in question.
Click on individual photos to enlarge them to full size.
Click on the links on the right hand side for access to pdfs of the species accounts in the FAUNA Paraguay Handbook of the Mammals of Paraguay.
Species marked with a * are represented in the Skull Gallery for that family.
For information on how to use the Mammal Handbook accounts click here.

Magnorder Ameridelphia (16)

Order Didelphimorphia (16)

Didelphidae (16) Didelphid Opossums

Subfamily Caluromyinae: Woolly Opossums
Caluromys lanatus - Brown-eared Woolly Opossum - Comadreja lanosa - Mykuré viyú LR/nt

Subfamily Didelphinae: Typical Opossums
Chironectes minimus - Water Opossum - Lámpara de agua - Y´apo LR/nt
Didelphis albiventris - White-eared Opossum - Comadreja común - Mykure LR/lc
Didelphis aurita - Southern Black-eared Opossum - Comadreja orejuda - Mykure hu LR/lc
Lutreolina crassicaudata - Thick-tailed Opossum - Comadreja colorada - Mykure pyta LR/lc
Philander frenatus - Southeastern Four-eyed Opossum - Comadreja de cuatro ojos - Guaikí LR/lc
Metachirus nudicaudatus - Brown Four-eyed Opossum - Comadreja de anteojos - Yupatí LR/lc

Subfamily Thylamyinae: Pouched Mouse Opossums
Cryptonanus chacoensis - Chaco Mouse Opossum LR/lc
Gracilinanus agilis - Agile Gracile Opossum - Marmosa ágil - Anguyá guakí LR/lc
Thylamys macrurus - Long-tailed Fat-tailed Opossum LR/nt
Thylamys pusillus - Chaco Fat-tailed Opossum

Subfamily Marmosinae: Pouchless Mouse Opossums
Marmosa constantiae - Pale-bellied Woolly Mouse Opossum LR/lc
Marmosa paraguayana - Long-furred Woolly Mouse Opossum - Marmosa grande gris LR/lc
Monodelphis domestica - Grey Short-tailed Opossum - Colicorto gris - Anguja mykure LR/lc
Monodelphis kunsi - Pygmy Short-tailed Opossum - Colicorto pigmeo - N/A LR/lc
Monodelphis sorex - Red-sided Short-tailed Opossum - Colicorto rojizo - Guaiquiaca-aña LR/lc

Magnorder Xenarthra (13)

Order Pilosa (3)
Suborder Vermilingua (2)
Myrmecophagidae (2) Anteaters

Myrmecophaga tridactyla - Giant Anteater - Oso hormiguero - Jurumi LR/nt
Tamandua tetradactyla - Southern Tamandua - Oso melero - Kaguare LR/lc

Order Cingulata (12)
Dasypodidae (12) Armadillos

Subfamily Euphractinae: Hairy Armadillos
Euphractus sexcinctus - Six-banded Armadillo - Tatú peludo - Tatú poju LR/lc
Chaetophractus vellerosus - Lesser Hairy Armadillo - Tatú llorón - Tatú poju´i LR/lc
Chaetophractus villosus - Greater Hairy Armadillo - Tatú peludo - Tatú poju´i LR/lc

Subfamily Chlamyphorinae: Fairy Armadillos
Calyptophractus retusus - Chaco Fairy Armadillo - Pichiciego grande - Tatú jeikuarajoya LR/nt

Subfamily Dasypodinae: Long-nosed Armadillos
Dasypus hybridus - Southern Long-nosed Armadillo - Mulita pampeana - Tatú mburica LR/nt
Dasypus novemcinctus - Nine-banded Armadillo - Mulita grande - Tatú hu LR/lc
*Dasypus septemcinctus - Seven-banded Armadillo - Mulita común - Tatú´i LR/lc

Subfamily Tolypeutinae: Long-clawed Armadillos
Cabassous chacoensis - Chaco Naked-tailed Armadillo - Cabasú chico - Tatú ai menor LR/nt
Cabassous unicinctus - Southern Naked-tailed Armadillo - Tatú de rabo molle - Tatu ai LR/lc
Cabassous tatouay - Greater Naked-tailed Armadillo - Tatú de rabo molle - Tatu ai LR/lc
Priodontes maximus - Giant Armadillo - Armadillo gigante - Tatú carreta VU/A2cd
Tolypeutes matacus - Southern Three-banded Armadillo - Tatú bolito - Tatú boli LR/nt

Order Chiroptera (55)

Emballonuridae (1) Sac-winged Bats, Sheath-tailed Bats

Peropteryx macrotis - Peters´ Sac-winged Bat - Murciélago de bolsa alar perruno LR/lc

Noctilionidae (2) Bulldog bats

Noctilio albiventris - Lesser Bulldog Bat - Murciélago pescador chico - Mbopi pytá LR/lc
Noctilio leporinus - Greater Bulldog Bat - Murciélago pescador grande - Mbopi pytá guasu LR/lc

Phyllostomidae (20) American Leaf-nosed Bats
Click here for the comparative skull gallery of Phyllostomidae (12 species represented)

Subfamily Phyllostominae: Spear-nosed Bats
*Chrotopterus auritus - Woolly False Vampire - Falso vampiro orejón LR/lc
Lophostoma brasiliense - Pygmy Round-eared Bat LR/lc
Lophostoma silvicolum - d'Orbigny's Round-eared Bat LR/lc
Macrophyllum macrophyllum - Long-legged Bat - Murciélago de patas largas LR/lc
Phyllostomus discolor - Pale Spear-nosed Bat LR/lc
*Phyllostomus hastatus - Greater Spear-nosed Bat LR/lc
Tonatia bidens - Spix's Round-eared Bat - Falso vampiro orejas redondas DD

Subfamily Glossophaginae: Long-tongued Bats
Anoura caudifer - Lesser Tailless Bat - Murciélaguito hocicudo LR/lc
*Glossophaga soricina - Pallas's Long-tongued Bat - Murciélago nectarivoro LR/lc

Subfamily Carolliinae: Short-tailed Bats
*Carollia perspicillata - Seba´s Short-tailed Bat - Murcielago frutero LR/lc

Subfamily Stenodermatinae: Fruit Bats
*Artibeus fimbriatus - Fringed Fruit-eating Bat - Frutero grande oscuro LR/nt
*Artibeus lituratus - Great Fruit-eating Bat - Frutero grande de listas blancas LR/lc
*Artibeus planirostris - Flat-faced Fruit-eating Bat LR/lc
Chiroderma doriae - Brazilian Big-eyed Bat VU/A2c, D2
*Platyrrhinus lineatus - White-lined Broad-nosed Bat LR/lc
*Pygoderma bilabiatum - Ipanema Bat - Murciélago de hombros blancos LR/nt
*Sturnira lilium - Little Yellow-shouldered Bat - Frutero común LR/lc
Vampyressa pusilla - Southern Yellow-eared Bat - Murciélago de orejas amarillas LR/lc

Subfamily Desmodontinae: Vampire Bats
*Desmodus rotundus - Common Vampire Bat - Vampiro común LR/lc
Diaemus youngii - White-winged Vampire Bat - Vampiro de alas blancas LR/lc

Natalidae (1) Funnel-eared Bats

Natalus stramineus - Gray´s Funnel-eared Bat LR/lc

Vespertilionidae (14) Evening Bats
Click here for the comparative skull gallery of Vespertilionidae (4 species represented)

Eptesicus brasiliensis - Brazilian Brown Bat - Murciélago pardo LR/lc
Eptesicus diminutus - Diminutive Brown Bat - Murciélago pardo chico LR/lc
*Eptesicus furinalis - Common Brown Bat - Murciélago pardo común LR/lc
Histiotus macrotus - Greater Leaf-eared Bat - Murciélago orejón grande LR/nt
Histiotus velatus - Tropical Leaf-eared Bat - Murciélago orejón tropical LR/lc
*Lasiurus blossevillii - Southern Red Bat LR/lc
Lasiurus cinereus - Hoary Bat - Murciélago escarchado grande LR/lc
Lasiurus ega - Southern Yellow Bat - Murciélago leonado LR/lc
*Myotis albescens - Silver-tipped Myotis - Murciélaguito de vientre blanco LR/lc
Myotis levis - Yellowish Myotis . Murciélaguito amarillento LR/lc
*Myotis nigricans - Black Myotis - Murciélaguito oscuro LR/lc
Myotis riparius - Riverside Myotis - Murciélaguito ochráceo LR/lc
Myotis ruber - Red Myotis - Murciélaguito rojo VU/A2c
Myotis simus - Velvety Myotis - Murciélaguito afelpado LR/lc

Molossidae (17) Free-tailed Bats
Click here for the comparative skull gallery of Molossidae (9 species represented)

Subfamily Molossinae: Free-tailed Bats
*Cynomops abrasus - Cinnamon Dog-faced Bat LR/nt
*Cynomops planirostris - White-throated Dog-faced Bat - Moloso de pecho blanco LR/lc
*Eumops auripendulus - Black Bonneted Bat - Moloso oscuro LR/lc
*Eumops bonariensis - Southern Bonneted Bat - Moloso orejas anchas pardo LR/lc
Eumops dabbenei - Dabbene´s Bonneted Bat - Moloso grande LR/lc
*Eumops glaucinus - Wagner's Bonneted Bat - Moloso acanelado LR/lc
*Eumops patagonicus - Patagonian Bonneted Bat - Moloso gris de orejas anchas LR/lc
*Eumops perotis - Greater Bonneted Bat - Moloso orejón grande LR/lc
*Molossops temminckii - Dwarf Dog-faced Bat - Moloso pigmeo LR/lc
Molossus rufus - Black Mastiff - Moloso cola gruesa grande LR/lc
Molossus currentium - Corrientes Mastiff - Molosso cola gruesa Correntino LR/lc
*Molossus molossus - Pallas's Mastiff - Moloso cola gruesa chica LR/lc
Nyctinomops laticaudatus - Geoffroy´s Free-tailed Bat - Moloso labios arrugados chico LR/lc
Nyctinomops macrotis - Big Free-tailed Bat - Moloso labios arrugados grande LR/lc
Promops centralis - Crested Mastiff - Moloso cola larga grande LR/lc
Promops nasutus - Brown Mastiff - Moloso cola larga chica LR/lc
Tadarida brasiliensis - Brazilian Free-tailed Bat - Moloso común LR/nt

Order Primates (5)
Callitrichidae (1) Marmosets and Tamarins

Mico argentatus - Black-tailed Silvery Marmoset LR/lc

Atelidae (1) Howler Monkeys

Alouatta caraya - Black Howler - Mono aullador - Karaja LR/lc

Aotidae (1) Night Monkeys

Aotus azarae - Azara´s Night Monkey - Mono de noche - Ka´i pyhare LR/lc

Pitheciidae (1) Pitheciid Monkeys

Callicebus pallescens - Dusky Titi LR/lc

Cebidae (1) Capuchin Monkeys

Cebus apella - Brown Capuchin - Mono Capuchino Marrón - Ka´i LR/lc

Order Carnivora (19)
Canidae (4) Dogs

Cerdocyon thous - Crab-eating Fox - Zorro cangrejera - Aguara´i LR/lc
Chrysocyon brachyurus - Maned Wolf - Lobo de crin - Aguara guasu LR/nt
Lycalopex gymnocercus - Azara´s Fox - Zorro de campo - Aguara cha´i LR/lc
Speothos venaticus - Bush Dog - Zorro vinagre - Jagua yvyguy VU/C2a(i)

Procyonidae (2) Raccoons

Nasua nasua - Coati - Coati - Kuati LR/lc
Procyon cancrivorus - Crab-eating Raccoon - Mapache comedor de cangrejos - Aguara pope LR/lc

Mephitidae (1) Skunks
Conepatus chinga - Molina´s Hog-nosed Skunk - Zorrino - Jaguare LR/lc

Mustelidae (5) Mustelids

Eira barbara - Tayra - Hurón mayor - Eira LR/lc
Galictis cuja - Lesser Grison - Grisón menor - Jagua pe LR/lc
Galictis vittata - Greater Grison - Grisón mayor - Jagua pe guazú LR/lc
Lontra longicaudis - Neotropical River Otter - Lobito de rio - Lobo pe DD
Pteronura brasiliensis - Giant Otter - Nutria gigante - Arirai EN/A3ce

Felidae (8) Cats

Lynchailurus braccatus - Pantanal Cat LR/nt
Oncifelis geoffroyi - Geoffroy's Cat - Gato montés - Tirika LR/nt
Leopardus pardalis - Ocelot - Ocelote - Jaguarete´i LR/lc
Leopardus tigrinus - Little Spotted Cat - Gato onza chico - Tirika LR/nt
Leopardus wiedii - Margay - Tigrillo de cola larga - Tirika LR/lc
Herpailurus yaguarondi - Jaguarundi - Gato moro - Jaguarundi LR/lc
Panthera onca - Jaguar - Tigre - Jaguareté LR/nt
Puma concolor - Puma - Léon - Puma LR/nt

Order Perissodactyla (1) Odd-toed Ungulates
Tapiridae (1) Tapirs

Tapirus terrestris - Lowland Tapir - Tapir - Mborevi VU/A2cd+3cd+4cd

Order Artiodactyla (10) Even-toed Ungulates
Tayassuidae (3) Peccaries
Click here for the comparative skull gallery of Tayassuidae (2 species represented)

*Catagonus wagneri - Chaco Peccary - Peccarí chaqueño - Tagua EN/A1acde+B1+2bde+E
Tayassu pecari - White-lipped Peccary - Pecarí de labio blanco - Tañykati LR/lc
*Pecari tajacu - Collared Peccary - Pecarí de collar - Kure´i LR/lc

Camelidae (1) Llamas

Lama guanicoe - Guanaco - Guanaco LR/lc

Cervidae (5) Deer

Blastocerus dichotomus - Marsh Deer - Ciervo de los pantanos VU/A4acde
Mazama americana - Red Brocket-Deer - Venado rojo - Guasu pyta DD
Mazama gouazoupira - Gray Brocket-Deer - Corzuela - Guasu vira DD
Mazama nana - Dwarf Red Brocket-Deer - Corzuela enana - Pororoka DD
Ozotoceros bezoarticus - Pampas Deer - Ciervo de las pampas LR/nt

Order Rodentia (53) - Rodents

Sciuridae (1) Squirrels

*Sciurus urucumus - Urucumu Squirrel DD

Muridae (3) Old World Rats and Mice
Click here for the comparative skull gallery of Muridae (2 species represented)

*Mus musculus - House Mouse LR/lc
Rattus norvegicus - Brown Rat LR/lc
*Rattus rattus - Black Rat LR/lc

Cricetidae (29) Cricetid Rats and Mice
Click here for the comparative skull gallery of Cricetidae (27 species represented)

*Oecomys mamorae - Mamore Arboreal Rice Rat LR/lc
Oligoryzomys chacoensis - Chaco Rice Rat LR/lc
*Oligoryzomys nigripes - Black-footed Pygmy Rice Rat LR/lc
*Oligoryzomys fornesi - Fornes´s Rice Rat LR/lc
*Sooretamys angouya - Tuft-toed Rice Rat LR/lc
*Cerradomys maracajuensis - Maracaju Rice Rat DD
*Cerradomys subflavus - Ashy-nosed Rice Rat LR/lc
*Euryoryzomys nitidus - Spiny Mouse LR/lc
*Hylaeamys megacephalus - Large-headed Rice Rat LR/lc
Juliomys pictipes - Lesser Wilfred´s Mouse LR/lc
*Nectomys squamipes - Neotropical Water Rat LR/lc
*Pseudorysomys simplex - Brazilian False Rice Rat LR/lc
*Holochilus chacarius - Chaco Marsh Rat LR/lc
*Andalgalomys pearsoni - Pearson´s Chaco Mouse LR/lc
*Calomys callosus - Large Vesper Mouse - Laucha grande LR/lc
*Calomys laucha - Small Vesper Mouse - Laucha chica LR/lc
*Calomys musculinus - Drylands Vesper Mouse - Laucha bimaculada LR/lc
*Calomys tener - Tropical Vesper Mouse LR/lc
*Graomys chacoensis - Chaco Leaf-eared Mouse - Pericote común LR/lc
*Akodon azarae - Azara´s Akodon LR/lc
*Akodon montensis - Monte Akodon LR/lc
*Akodon paranaensis - Paraná Akodon DD
*Akodon toba - Chaco Akodon LR/lc
*Thaptomys nigrita - Blackish Grass Mouse LR/lc
*Necromys lasiurus - Hairy-tailed Bolo Mouse LR/lc
*Oxymycterus delator - Dark Hocicudo LR/lc
*Oxymycterus misionalis - Reddish Hocicudo DD
*Bibimys chacoensis - Crimson-nosed Rat
*Scapteromys aquaticus - Aquatic Rat LR/lc

Erethizontidae (2) Porcupines

Coendou prehensilis - Prehensile-tailed Porcupine - Puercoespín - Kui´i guasu LR/lc
Sphiggurus spinosus - Hairy Tree Porcupine - Puercoespín peludo paraguayo - Kui´i LR/lc

Caviidae (4) Cavies
Click here for the comparative skull gallery of Caviidae (3 species represented)

Subfamily Caviinae: True Cavies
*Cavia aperea - Cavy - Cuis - Apere´a LR/lc
*Galea musteloides - Yellow-toothed Cavy LR/lc

Subfamily Dolichotinae: Maras
Dolichotis salinicola - Chaco Mara LR/nt

Subfamily Hydrochoerinae: Capybara
*Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris - Capybara - Carpincho - Karpincho LR/lc

Agoutidae (2) Agoutis

Agouti paca - Spotted Paca - Paca - Akutipak LR/lc
Dasyprocta azarae - Azara´s Agouti - Cutia - Akuti sayju VU/A1cd

Chinchillidae (1) Chinchillas

Lagostomus maximus - Plains Viscacha - Vizcacha - Tapiti boli LR/lc

Myocastoridae (1) Coypu

Myocastor coypus - Coypu - Falsa nutria - Kyja LR/lc

Ctenomyidae (3) Tucu-tucos
Click here for the comparative skull gallery of Ctenomyidae (2 species represented)

Ctenomys boliviensis - Bolivian Tuco-tuco LR/lc
*Ctenomys conoveri - Conover´s Tuco-tuco - Tuca-tuca - Anguja tutu LR/lc
*Ctenomys pilariensis - Pilar Tuco-tuco LR/lc

Echimyidae (5)Spiny Rats
Click here for the comparative skull gallery of Echimyidae (3 species represented)

*Clyomys laticeps - Broad-headed Spiny Rat LR/lc
Euryzygomatomys spinosus - Guiara LR/lc
Kannabateomys amblyonyx - Southern Bamboo-rat LR/lc
*Proechimys longicaudatus - Long-tailed Spiny Rat LR/lc
*Thrichomys aperoides - Punare LR/lc

Order Lagomorpha (2)
Leporidae (2) Rabbits and Hares

*Sylvilagus brasiliensis - Brazilian Cottontail - Conejito de monte - Tapiti LR/lc
Lepus europaeus - European Hare LR/lc

The following species have been reported for Paraguay but are considered hypothetical on the basis of a lack of physical evidence for their existence in the country. These species may be considered of possible or probable occurrence in Paraguay but are pending documentation:

Order Didelphimorphia, Family Didelphidae
Philander opossum - Grey Four-eyed Opossum
Gracilinanus microtarsus - Reddish Gracile Opossum
Monodelphis dimidiata - Yellow-sided Short-tailed Opossum
Monodelphis scalops - Tawny-headed Short-tailed Opossum
Magnorder Xenarthra, Suborder Folivora, Family Bradypodidae
Bradypus variegatus - Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth
Order Chiroptera, Family Emballonuridae
Rhynchonycteris naso - Proboscis Bat
Saccopteryx bilineatus - Greater White-lined Bat
Order Chiroptera, Family Phyllostomidae
Anoura geoffroyi - Geoffroy´s Tailless Bat
Artibeus obscurus - Black Fruit-eating Bat
Carollia brevicauda - Silky Short-tailed Bat
Order Rodentia, Family Agoutidae
Dasyprocta punctata - Bay Agouti