Tenerife Mammals - endemic, warm-blooded vertebrates

Tenerife mammals. The title isn't strictly true - this page also features rodents, so is more concerned with all warm blooded vertebrates. There aren't that many species endemic to the island.

Grey Long Eared Bat

This mammal is a very rare and endangered species. It tends to settle near cultivated land and where there is human habitation. They roost in buildings and in caves. Although out and about sometimes during the day, their real feeding time is at night, seeking out a diet of moths, flies and beetles. They have a hibernation period from October to March.

Photo: Jasja Dekker

This mammal is a very rare and endangered species. It tends to settle near cultivated land and where there is human habitation. They roost in buildings and in caves.



Photo: Jasja Dekker

Although out and about sometimes during the day, their real feeding time is at night, seeking out a diet of moths, flies and beetles. They have a hibernation period from October to March.

Savi's Pipistrelle

This is a small, Mediterranean bat that has been sighted on Tenerife. Like the previous bat, their numbers are quite low, their survival being compromised by the use of insecticides on crops. It hunts for small, flying insects at night, often consuming several thousand on each outing. Their habitat covers woodland, farmland and towns and they can roost in buildings or hollow trees.

This is a small, Mediterranean bat that has been sighted on Tenerife. Like the previous bat, their numbers are quite low, their survival being compromised by the use of insecticides on crops.




It hunts for small, flying insects at night, often consuming several thousand on each outing. Their habitat covers woodland, farmland and towns and they can roost in buildings or hollow trees.

tenerife mammals

Brown Rat

There used to be an endemic rat species in Tenerife - appropriately called the Tenerife Giant Rat! Don't let the "giant" bit put you off; known only from fossils, it grew to a similar size to the brown rat known on the island today.

So, from this extinct endemic species, the brown rat might claim descent. It's unlikely, though, as brown rats are known all the world over and probably found themselves on islands such as Tenerife through stowing away on sailing ships.

As you probably know, this rodent will eat anything, but is quite partial to cereals.

The brown rat is a good swimmer, both on the surface and underwater. It is also an excellent digger, creating intricate burrows for habitation.

Photo: Hans-Jörg Hellwig

Common Rat

Another, related species, also rife in Tenerife. Unlike the brown rat, this one is a good climber, but a poor swimmer.

It prefers warmer climates, so the island is ideal.

They are nocturnal creatures, venturing out at night for food. They are also omnivorous, but are partial to grains and fruit.

Photo: Kilessan

House Mouse

Yes, this small rodent common to many countries is also found on Tenerife.

Like the rats, these tiny creatures are not really indigenous to the island, but probably arrived on sailing ships.

They don't mind where they live either! Open fields, farmlands and human dwellings - they're not fussy.

They can cause damage and feed on food that is meant for other animals or even humans. They can transmit food poisoning.

They don't like bright light and operated mainly during dusk and at night.

tenerife mammals

Etruscan Pygmy Shrew

This tiny animal is one of two types of shrew found on Tenerife and has the distinction of being the smallest of all mammals by mass, possibly weighing as little as 1.3 grams (that's really light). They inhabit forests and brush and forage largely for insects.

Photo: Stella Nutella

This tiny animal is one of two types of shrew found on Tenerife and has the distinction of being the smallest of all mammals by mass, possibly weighing as little as 1.3 grams (that's really light).


Photo: Stella Nutella

They inhabit forests and brush and forage largely for insects.

There is also another species of shrew, endemic to the Canary Islands, the Canarian Shrew, which is, needless to say, a bit bigger than the Etruscan Pigmy.

Algerian Hedgehog

Photo: kallerna

Although found in Tenerife, this little creature is native to Africa and it is thought that it might have been introduced to the archipelago by humans. This hedgehog is smaller than its European cousins and can be quite a fast runner. For habitats, it favours pine forests, but, in Tenerife, can also be found in parks and gardens.

Photo: kallerna

Although found in Tenerife, this little creature is native to Africa and it is thought that it might have been introduced to the archipelago by humans. This hedgehog is smaller than its European cousins and can be quite a fast runner. For habitats, it favours pine forests, but, in Tenerife, can also be found in parks and gardens.

tenerife mammals

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