
Nesomyidae is a family of mammals in the order Rodentia and part of the Myomorpha suborder. Members of this family are called nesomyids, and include Malagasy rodents, climbing mice, African rock mice, pouched rats, and tufted-tailed rats. They are found in sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in forests, savannas, shrublands, grasslands, and deserts, though some species can be found in rocky areas. They range in size from Monard's African climbing mouse, at 4 cm (2 in) plus a 5 cm (2 in) tail, to the southern giant pouched rat, at 41 cm (16 in) plus a 45 cm (18 in) tail. Nesomyids are generally omnivores, and eat seeds, fruit, nuts, roots, stems, and insects. Few nesomyids have population estimates, but five species—the white-tipped tufted-tailed rat, greater big-footed mouse, western nesomys, eastern voalavo, and Petter's tufted-tailed rat—are categorized as endangered, while the Mount Kahuzi climbing mouse and Malagasy giant rat are categorized as critically endangered.
The 67 extant species of Nesomyidae are divided into 21 genera, divided into 6 subfamilies. Cricetomyinae contains 8 species of hamster-rats and pouched rats in 3 genera, Delanymyinae contains a single species, Dendromurinae contains 26 species of climbing mice and fat mice in 6 genera, Mystromyinae contains a single species, Nesomyinae contains 27 species of short-tailed rats, tufted-tailed rats, and big-footed mice in 9 genera, and Petromyscinae contains 4 species of rock mice in a single genus. Several extinct prehistoric nesomyid species have been discovered, though due to ongoing research and discoveries, the exact number and categorization is not fixed.
| Conservation status | |
|---|---|
| EX | Extinct (0 species) |
| EW | Extinct in the wild (0 species) |
| CR | Critically endangered (2 species) |
| EN | Endangered (5 species) |
| VU | Vulnerable (5 species) |
| NT | Near threatened (0 species) |
| LC | Least concern (44 species) |
| Other categories | |
| DD | Data deficient (8 species) |
| NE | Not evaluated (3 species) |
The author citation for the species or genus is given after the scientific name; parentheses around the author citation indicate that this was not the original taxonomic placement. Conservation status codes listed follow the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Range maps are provided wherever possible; if a range map is not available, a description of the nesomyid's range is provided. Ranges are based on the IUCN Red List for that species unless otherwise noted.

Nesomyidae is a family consisting of 67 extant species in 21 genera. These genera are divided into six subfamilies: Cricetomyinae, containing 8 species of in 3 genera; Delanymyinae, containing a single species; Dendromurinae, containing 26 species in 6 genera; Mystromyinae, containing a single species; Nesomyinae, containing 27 species in 9 genera; and Petromyscinae, containing 4 species in a single genus. This does not include hybrid species or extinct prehistoric species.
Family Nesomyidae
The following classification is based on the taxonomy described by the reference work Mammal Species of the World (2005), with augmentation by generally accepted proposals made since using molecular phylogenetic analysis, as supported by both the IUCN and the American Society of Mammalogists.
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater hamster-rat | B. major Dollman, 1914 |
Southeastern Africa | Size: 13–18 cm (5–7 in) long, plus 12–15 cm (5–6 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Seeds and fruit |
NE Unknown |
| Lesser hamster-rat | B. hindei Thomas, 1909 |
Southeastern Africa | Size: 12–16 cm (5–6 in) long, plus 11–13 cm (4–5 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Seeds and fruit |
LC Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emin's pouched rat | C. emini Wroughton, 1910 |
Central and western Africa | Size: 30–35 cm (12–14 in) long, plus 32–43 cm (13–17 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Omnivorous, including fruit and nuts as well as vegetables, insects, crabs, and snails |
LC Unknown |
| Gambian pouched rat | C. gambianus Waterhouse, 1840 |
Central and western Africa | Size: 28–39 cm (11–15 in) long, plus 25–40 cm (10–16 in) tail Habitat: Forest and savanna Diet: Omnivorous, including fruit and nuts as well as vegetables, insects, crabs, and snails |
LC Unknown |
| Kivu giant pouched rat | C. kivuensis Lönnberg, 1917 |
Central and western Africa | Size: About 32 cm (13 in) long, plus about 34 cm (13 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Omnivorous, including fruit and nuts as well as vegetables, insects, crabs, and snails |
NE Unknown |
| Southern giant pouched rat | C. ansorgei Thomas, 1904 |
Central and southern Africa |
Size: 29–41 cm (11–16 in) long, plus 34–45 cm (13–18 in) tail Habitat: Forest and savanna Diet: Omnivorous, including fruit and nuts as well as vegetables, insects, crabs, and snails |
LC Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mearns's pouched mouse | S. mearnsi Heller, 1910 |
Eastern Africa | Size: 10–15 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 3–8 cm (1–3 in) tail Habitat: Savanna, shrubland, and desert Diet: Seeds, berries, grains, and nuts, as well as insects |
LC Unknown |
| South African pouched mouse | S. campestris Peters, 1846 |
Southern Africa | Size: 9–18 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 2–6 cm (1–2 in) tail Habitat: Savanna, shrubland, grassland, and desert Diet: Seeds, berries, grains, and nuts, as well as insects |
LC Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delany's mouse | D. brooksi Hayman, 1962 |
Central Africa |
Size: 5–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 8–12 cm (3–5 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and inland wetlands Diet: Seeds |
VU Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Banana climbing mouse | D. messorius (Thomas, 1903) |
Central and western Africa | Size: 5–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 7–10 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Grassland Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
LC Unknown |
| Brants's climbing mouse | D. mesomelas (Brants, 1827) |
Southern Africa | Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 7–13 cm (3–5 in) tail Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
LC Unknown |
| Cameroon climbing mouse | D. oreas Osgood, 1936 |
Cameroon | Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 8–11 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Grassland Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
LC Unknown |
| Chestnut climbing mouse | D. mystacalis (Heuglin, 1863) |
Eastern and southern Africa | Size: 4–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 6–11 cm (2–4 in) tail Habitat: Savanna and grassland Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
LC Unknown |
| Gray climbing mouse | D. melanotis (Smith, 1834) |
Sub-Saharan Africa | Size: 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 5–10 cm (2–4 in) tail Habitat: Savanna, shrubland, grassland, and desert Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
LC Unknown |
| Kivu climbing mouse | D. nyasae Thomas, 1916 |
Southern Africa | Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 8–11 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
NE Unknown |
| Lachaise's climbing mouse | D. lachaisei Denys & Aniskine, 2012 |
Western Africa |
Size: 5–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 7–10 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Forest and savanna Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
VU Unknown |
| Lovat's climbing mouse | D. lovati (de Winton, 1900) |
Ethiopia | Size: 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 5–9 cm (2–4 in) tail Habitat: Grassland Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
LC Unknown |
| Monard's African climbing mouse | D. leucostomus Monard, 1933 |
Angola | Size: 4–7 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 5–8 cm (2–3 in) tail Habitat: Savanna and grassland Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
NE Unknown |
| Montane African climbing mouse | D. insignis (Thomas, 1903) |
East-central Africa | Size: 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 8–12 cm (3–5 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, and inland wetlands Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
LC Unknown |
| Mount Kahuzi climbing mouse | D. kahuziensis (Dieterlen, 1969) |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 12–14 cm (5–6 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
CR Unknown |
| Nyika climbing mouse | D. nyikae Wroughton, 1909 |
Southern Africa | Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 8–10 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Forest, savanna, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
LC Unknown |
| Rupp's African climbing mouse | D. ruppi Dieterlen, 2009 |
South Sudan | Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 9–12 cm (4–5 in) tail Habitat: Inland wetlands Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
DD Unknown |
| Vernay's climbing mouse | D. vernayi Hill & Carter, 1937 |
Angola | Size: 6–8 cm (2–3 in) long, plus 8–9 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Savanna Diet: Seeds, berries, insects, eggs, small lizards, and small birds |
DD Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Velvet climbing mouse | D. rousseloti Petter, 1966 |
Republic of the Congo | Size: About 8 cm (3 in) long, plus about 11 cm (4 in) tail Habitat: Unknown Diet: Insects |
DD Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerbil mouse | M. typica (Smith, 1834) |
Southern Africa | Size: 6–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 2–5 cm (1–2 in) tail Habitat: Desert, shrubland, and savanna Diet: Green vegetation |
LC Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikolaus's mouse | M. nikolausi Dieterlen & Rupp, 1978 |
Ethiopia | Size: 11–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 9–11 cm (4 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
VU Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dollman's tree mouse | P. batesi Dollman, 1910 |
West-central Africa | Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 10–12 cm (4–5 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Insects |
DD Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bocage's African fat mouse | S. bocagei (Thomas, 1892) |
Angola and Democratic Republic of the Congo | Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 5–8 cm (2–3 in) tail Habitat: Forest, savanna, and shrubland Diet: Seeds, grass bulbs, and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Dainty fat mouse | S. cuppedius Thomas & Hinton, 1920 |
Western Africa | Size: 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 4–5 cm (2 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and grassland Diet: Seeds, grass bulbs, and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Fat mouse | S. pratensis Peters, 1846 |
Central and southern Africa | Size: 8–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 4–6 cm (2 in) tail Habitat: Savanna and grassland Diet: Seeds, grass bulbs, and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Jackson's fat mouse | S. jacksoni Hayman, 1936 |
Ghana and Nigeria | Size: About 12 cm (5 in) long, plus about 5 cm (2 in) tail Habitat: Unknown Diet: Seeds, grass bulbs, and insects |
DD Unknown |
| Krebs's fat mouse | S. krebsii Peters, 1852 |
Southern Africa | Size: 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 3–6 cm (1–2 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and grassland Diet: Seeds, grass bulbs, and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Northwestern fat mouse | S. caurinus Thomas, 1912 |
Western Africa | Size: 9–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 3–5 cm (1–2 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland Diet: Seeds, grass bulbs, and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Pousargues African fat mouse | S. opimus (Pousargues, 1894) |
Central Africa | Size: 11–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 5–7 cm (2–3 in) tail Habitat: Forest and savanna Diet: Seeds, grass bulbs, and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Tiny fat mouse | S. parvus Rhoads, 1896 |
Eastern and southern Africa | Size: 5–9 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 3–6 cm (1–2 in) tail Habitat: Savanna, shrubland, and grassland Diet: Seeds, grass bulbs, and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White-tailed rat | M. albicaudatus (Smith, 1834) |
Southern Africa | Size: 11–20 cm (4–8 in) long, plus 4–9 cm (2–4 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and grassland Diet: Seeds, vegetable matter, and insects |
VU 7,000–14,000 |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hairy-tailed antsangy | B. villosa Petter, 1962 |
Northern Madagascar |
Size: 23–24 cm (9 in) long, plus 26–27 cm (10–11 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit |
VU Unknown |
| White-tailed antsangy | B. albicauda Günther, 1875 |
Eastern Madagascar |
Size: 22–23 cm (9 in) long, plus 22–24 cm (9 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit |
LC Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betsileo short-tailed rat | B. betsileoensis (Bartlett, 1880) |
Eastern Madagascar |
Size: 14–19 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 7–10 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Forest, shrubland, grassland, and inland wetlands Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Gregarious short-tailed rat | B. ramirohitra Forsyth Major, 1896 |
Eastern Madagascar |
Size: 14–17 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 8–11 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankarana Special Reserve tufted-tailed rat | E. carletoni Goodman, Raheriarisena, & Jansa, 2009 |
Northern Madagascar | Size: 14–15 cm (6 in) long, plus 16–19 cm (6–7 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Daniel's tufted-tailed rat | E. danieli Goodman & Carleton, 2007 |
Southern Madagascar |
Size: 15–16 cm (6 in) long, plus 17–20 cm (7–8 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Dormouse tufted-tailed rat | E. myoxinus A. Milne-Edwards, 1855 |
Northern, western, and southern Madagascar |
Size: 11–14 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 12–17 cm (5–7 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Ellerman's tufted-tailed rat | E. ellermani Carleton, 1994 |
Eastern Madagascar |
Size: About 15 cm (6 in) long, plus about 18 cm (7 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
DD Unknown |
| Grandidier's tufted-tailed rat | E. grandidieri Goodman & Carleton, 1998 |
Northeastern Madagascar |
Size: 11–17 cm (4–7 in) long, plus 14–18 cm (6–7 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Lesser tufted-tailed rat | E. minor Forsyth Major, 1896 |
Northern and eastern Madagascar |
Size: 10–13 cm (4–5 in) long, plus 11–14 cm (4–6 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Major's tufted-tailed rat | E. majori Thomas, 1895 |
Eastern Madagascar |
Size: 13–17 cm (5–7 in) long, plus 15–20 cm (6–8 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Petter's tufted-tailed rat | E. petteri Carleton, 1994 |
Eastern Madagascar | Size: About 13 cm (5 in) long, plus about 19 cm (7 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
EN Unknown |
| Tanala tufted-tailed rat | E. tanala Forsyth Major, 1896 |
Eastern Madagascar |
Size: 14–16 cm (6 in) long, plus 15–20 cm (6–8 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Tsingy tufted-tailed rat | E. antsingy Goodman, Rakotondravony, & Carleton, 2001 |
Northern Madagascar |
Size: 14–16 cm (6 in) long, plus 15–20 cm (6–8 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
DD Unknown |
| Webb's tufted-tailed rat | E. webbi Ellerman, 1949 |
Eastern Madagascar |
Size: 14–16 cm (6 in) long, plus 16–19 cm (6–7 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| White-tipped tufted-tailed rat | E. penicillatus Thomas, 1908 |
East-central Madagascar |
Size: About 15 cm (6 in) long, plus about 17 cm (7 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
EN Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voalavoanala | G. roberti Forsyth Major, 1896 |
Eastern Madagascar |
Size: 15–18 cm (6–7 in) long, plus 14–20 cm (6–8 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malagasy giant rat | H. antimena Grandidier, 1869 |
Western Madagascar |
Size: 30–34 cm (12–13 in) long, plus 21–24 cm (8–9 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit |
CR 5,000 |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bastard big-footed mouse | M. bastardi A. Milne-Edwards & Grandidier, 1898 |
Western Madagascar |
Size: 8–11 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 12–15 cm (5–6 in) tail Habitat: Forest and shrubland Diet: Berries, fruit, seeds, roots, and stems |
LC Unknown |
| Greater big-footed mouse | M. ingens (Petter, 1959) |
Northern Madagascar |
Size: 11–15 cm (4–6 in) long, plus 18–24 cm (7–9 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Berries, fruit, seeds, roots, and stems |
EN Unknown |
| Petter's big-footed mouse | M. petteri Goodman & Soarimalala, 2005 |
Southern Madagascar |
Size: About 16 cm (6 in) long, plus about 24 cm (9 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Berries, fruit, seeds, roots, and stems |
DD Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malagasy mountain mouse | M. koopmani Goodman & Carleton, 1996 |
Northern, central, and southern Madagascar |
Size: 9–11 cm (4 in) long, plus 13–15 cm (5–6 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island mouse | N. rufus Peters, 1870 |
Eastern Madagascar |
Size: 17–20 cm (7–8 in) long, plus 16–18 cm (6–7 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit and nuts |
LC Unknown |
| Western nesomys | N. lambertoni Grandidier, 1928 |
Western Madagascar | Size: 18–20 cm (7–8 in) long, plus 18–20 cm (7–8 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit and nuts |
EN Unknown |
| White-bellied nesomys | N. audeberti Jentink, 1879 |
Eastern Madagascar | Size: 19–20 cm (7–8 in) long, plus 16–18 cm (6–7 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Fruit and nuts |
LC Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern voalavo | V. antsahabensis Goodman, Rakotondravony, Randriamanantsoa, & Rakotomalala-Razanahoera, 2005 |
Central Madagascar (in green) |
Size: 8–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 10–13 cm (4–5 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
EN Unknown |
| Northern voalavo | V. gymnocaudus Goodman & Carleton, 1998 |
Northern Madagascar (in red) |
Size: 8–9 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 12–13 cm (5 in) tail Habitat: Forest Diet: Likely vegetation and insects |
LC Unknown |
| Common name | Scientific name and subspecies | Range | Size and ecology | IUCN status and estimated population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barbour's rock mouse | P. barbouri Shortridge, 1938 |
South Africa | Size: 7–8 cm (3 in) long, plus 7–9 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and rocky areas Diet: Omnivorous |
LC Unknown |
| Brukkaros pygmy rock mouse | P. monticularis (Thomas & Hinton, 1925) |
Namibia and South Africa | Size: 6–10 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 6–9 cm (2–4 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and rocky areas Diet: Omnivorous |
LC Unknown |
| Pygmy rock mouse | P. collinus (Hinton, 1925) |
Southwestern Africa | Size: 7–10 cm (3–4 in) long, plus 7–13 cm (3–5 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and rocky areas Diet: Omnivorous |
LC Unknown |
| Shortridge's rock mouse | P. shortridgei Thomas, 1926 |
Angola and Namibia | Size: 6–10 cm (2–4 in) long, plus 7–11 cm (3–4 in) tail Habitat: Shrubland and rocky areas Diet: Omnivorous |
LC Unknown |