State of Nature 2024 - Land Mammals

Our Island currently supports ten species of wild mammal: Irish Stoat (known locally as Weasels), Ferret (Polecat), Hedgehog, Woodmouse/Long-tailed Fieldmouse, Housemouse, Mountain Hare, Brown Hare, Rabbit, Pigmy Shrew and Longtails (R.A.T.s) (For Wallabies, see Invasive Species section). Although there is some debate over the ethnicity of some of these species, such as Hedgehogs which are believed to have originally arrived on the Calf of Man as pets aboard a wrecked ship, they are all considered well-established if not native species. (We have no Squirrels, Badgers or Foxes on the Island.)

They inhabit most terrestrial habitats, uplands, wetlands, woodlands, farmland, as well as coastal-intertidal areas and freshwater banks. Our mammal species, although mostly illusive, represent a vital link in the food chain and therefore a crucial addition to the Manx ecosystem.