Mammals of Swaziland

Contributed by: Ara Monadjem, University of Swaziland, Private Bag 4, Kwaluseni, Swaziland, AMonadjem@iafrica.sz

A total of 121 species of mammals (in 92 genera, 35 families and 13 orders) have been recorded from Swaziland (see mammals species list), which represents a third of all non-marine mammal species occurring in southern Africa.

Swaziland’s larger herbivores and carnivores are generally restricted to nature reserves and game farms. Many of these species occur within the Kingdom as a result of re-introductions (eg. elephants, warthogs, white and black rhino and lions). Healthy populations of impala, zebra, blue wildebeest, reedbuck, kudu and nyala occur in Swaziland. The survival of these larger species depends entirely on the survival of these reserves and private ranches. Of the smaller antelope, the threatened oribi occurs at Malolotja and Mlawula Nature Reserves, while the klipspringer, red duiker and steenbuck also occur within the country. Indigenous populations of some of these smaller antelope species (including the common grey duiker) have survived in remote areas on Swazi Nation Land.

The spotted hyaena, black-backed jackal and side-striped jackal occur in reserves and ranches. Leopards, although present, are very rarely seen in Swaziland. Several species of mongooses and the large-spotted genet are widespread in Swaziland surviving in many reserves as well as on commercial farms and Swazi Nation Land.

Of the smaller mammals occurring within Swaziland, the rodents have been the most intensively studied. Distributions of most of these species within the country are known and it is unlikely that more than one or two additional species have been overlooked. Widespread and common species include the multimammate mouse and pygmy mouse. The striped mouse is locally common on the highveld, while the single-striped mouse is common in the middleveld and lowveld. The rare water rat has been recorded from the middleveld. Preliminary studies investigating the diet, habitat and population dynamics of Swaziland’s rodents have been conducted.

Insectivores have also been adequately recorded within Swaziland. Shrews comprise the largest group of insectivores, with the forest shrew and reddish-grey musk shrew being common on the highveld and the lesser red musk shrew being common in the lowveld. One species of golden mole has been recorded. There is, however, the possibility that one or two additional species of golden moles have been overlooked. Very little is known about the biology of insectivores in Swaziland, and this is a field requiring further investigation.

Bats have been poorly recorded from Swaziland in particular and southern Africa in general. To date, 19 species have been collected from Swaziland, while up to an additional 10 species may have been overlooked. The most numerous bat in Swaziland is almost certainly the little free-tailed bat which roosts (by the hundreds) in roofs of houses in the middleveld and lowveld. Wahlberg’s epauletted fruit bat is widespread throughout the country while the Cape serotine bat is widespread on the highveld. The rare short-eared trident bat was recorded from the northern lowveld in 1916, but has not been recorded since.

Four species of primates occur in Swaziland include the vervet monkey, chacma baboon and thick-tailed bushbaby. The rare Samango monkey has been recorded from the Lubombo Mountains.

Of the remaining major groups, two species of hare (scrub hare and natal red rock hare), the threatened pangolin, the antbear and the Cape hyrax have also been recorded from Swaziland.

Further reading:

Monadjem, A. 1997. An annotated checklist of the mammals of Swaziland. Conservation Trust of Swaziland, Manzini.

Monadjem, A. In press. Mammals of Swaziland. Conservation Trust of Swaziland & Big Game Parks.