EN

Yalden's Desmomys

Desmomys yaldeni

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Desmomys yaldeni faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in Ethiopia's highland regions, which directly destroys its specialized montane grassland habitat. The species' restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat conversion, while overgrazing by cattle and sheep degrades the grass-dominated ecosystems essential for its survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

Desmomys yaldeni inhabits montane grasslands and moorlands in the Ethiopian Highlands, typically at elevations between 3,000-4,000 meters. The species requires dense grass cover and is associated with Afroalpine vegetation zones characterized by tussock grasses and scattered shrubs.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· major

Other threatened species in MURIDAE

VU

Christina's Margareta Rat

Margaretamys christinae

Unknown
EN

Lompobatang Sulawesi Rat

Rattus mollicomulus

Unknown
VU

Kakadu Pebble-mouse

Pseudomys calabyi

Declining
EN

Cameroon Soft-furred Mouse

Praomys morio

Declining

Threatened in Ethiopia

Walia IbexCR

Walia Ibex

Capra walie

Declining
EN

Black-fronted Spurfowl

Pternistis atrifrons

Declining
EN

Isoglossa congesta

Unknown
VU

Ethiopian Hawker

Pinheyschna waterstoni

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Yalden's Desmomys classified as Endangered?
Yalden's Desmomys is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Desmomys yaldeni faces severe pressure from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in Ethiopia's highland regions, which directly destroys its specialized montane grassland habitat. The species' restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized habitat conversion, while overgrazing by cattle and sheep degrades the grass-dominated ecosystems essential for its survival.
Where does Yalden's Desmomys live?
Yalden's Desmomys occurs in Ethiopia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Yalden's Desmomys?
The main threats to Yalden's Desmomys are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

Get weekly conservation intelligence

One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.

Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.