There are relatively few species of mammals in Cyprus, mainly because of the efforts of the two-legged species to render the four-legged ones extinct.

The largest one is the Cyprus Mouflon, Ovis orientalis ophion, an endemic wild sheep, found in the Paphos forests. It is highly protected but nonetheless poached. It differs from similar animals found in North Africa and other Mediterranean islands by the distinctive black markings down the front of its neck and upper forelegs.

Cyprus Mouflon (Ovis orientalis ophion) ram and ewes. Photo © Brian Ellis

Another endemic mammal is the Cyprus Long-eared Hedgehog, Hemiechinus auritus s-sp cypriacus. It is very closely related to various North African and Levantine Long-eared Hedgehogs, each being a different sub-species. This belongs to a different genus to the European Hedgehog, Erinaceus europaeus, and is characterised by a smaller size, a longer, almost fox-like, snout and longer ears. The spines are slightly sparser. It is more insectivorous, aurally detecting its prey, than its European counterpart, worms, slugs and snails forming only a small part of its diet. One reference claims that it is reluctant to roll up when threatened but this author questions this, as his dog sniffs them out and they have been observed to roll up very quickly. They often unroll within 2-5 minutes of the danger passing, but have been known to take up to 45 minutes, cautiously checking for safety for a minute or so before resuming their foraging. It is usually seen singly or in pairs. It is a vector for ticks, but it does not seem to have massive flea infestations like the European Hedgehog.

Cyprus Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus s-sp cypriacus) Photo © Brian Ellis

Amongst rodents, the Cyprus or Cypriot Mouse is outstanding, not only as a full endemic species, but surviving from before humans inhabited the island. The following is edited from Wikipedia under Commons rights:
The Cypriot Mouse (Mus cypriacus) is a species of mouse native to Cyprus. Its primary habitat seems to be the vineyards and fields of the Troodos Mountains region. The mouse was recognized as a new species in 2004 by Thomas Cucchi, a research fellow at the University of Durham. It was formally described in 2006, in Zootaxa. The Cypriot mouse has characteristics that distinguish it from European mice: bigger ears, eyes and teeth; DNA tests confirmed that it was a new species. Unfortunately, there do not appear to be any photographs of this species in the public domain.

Another endemic rodent is the Cyprus Spiny Mouse, Acomys nesiotes, although it may be extinct. The last known sighting was in 2007. The House Mouse (Mus musculus ssp. musculus) is a common pest. It is probable that there is at least one species of Field Mouse, but this has not been confirmed.

Mus musculus ssp. musculus on a tiled patio Photo: Copyright © Brian Ellis 2010

The Black Rat, Rattus rattus frugivorous, is common throughout the island and causes much damage to crops, especially carobs, as well as being a disease vector. The Brown Rat, Rattus rattus norvegicus, is more common in the coastal towns. Both types of rat are the subject of control by the UNDP.

The Lesser White-toothed Shrew (Crocidura suaveolens cypria) is another endemic sub-species predating human arrival on the island; it is probably the prototype of all the sub-species of this family of shrews in the E. Mediterranean. These tiny animals have stiff whitish hairs longer than its brown fur, their function being speculated as some form of protection against predators.

Lesser White-toothed Shrew (Crocidura suaveolens) Photo: , Sebastian Ritter, adapted with permission.

The Etruscan Pygmy Shrew, Suncus etruscus, is also extant on the island. This is the world's lightest terrestrial mammal, weighing in at 1.5-2 g for an adult. It is characterised by vibrating tactile whiskers by which it can detect its prey, mostly insects; it eats its own weight of them daily, to nurture its extreme metabolism.

There are two other medium-sized mammals, the European Hare, Lepus europeus, and the Red Fox, Vulpes vulpes. Both of these are of the same species as are commonly found throughout continental Europe and elsewhere. The Hare is a popular species for hunting, it being estimated that about 50,000 are killed each year for the pot. The Fox is also often killed by hunters who believe that it is a predator for hares and birds.

With the exception of the Egyptian Fruit Bat, Rousettus aegyptiacus, all the bats in Cyprus are insectivorous. Today, the Egyptian Fruit Bat is relatively rare and is found mostly in the Paphos district and particularly in the Akamas. 50 years ago, it was common throughout the island even being observed in the outskirts of Nicosia. However, it was widely persecuted by fruit growers who mistakenly believed that it reduced their production (in fact, it preferred to feed on overripe fruit that was left on the trees or fell to the ground). It is a protected species, as are all bats on the island.

Some 17 species of insectivorous bats, of which three species may be considered doubtful, have been identified on the island. Each one of these animals can eat thousands of small insects, such as mosquitoes, per night and therefore they perform a useful service to mankind. It is not proposed to give a description of each one on this page because there is a much better source of information available in this document.

Other than true wild animals, there are considerable numbers of feral animals and especially cats and dogs, the latter often being abandoned by hunters. In addition, there are goats, donkeys (in the Karpass), possibly deer and a variety of exotic animals, such as the raccoon. With the exception of cats and dogs, the numbers of feral species are relatively small, in most cases, only a few specimens. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of cats and dogs. The number of feral cats is probably astronomical, as they breed prolifically. On the other hand, the number of dogs appears to be in diminution over the past few years.

Author of this page: Brian Ellis