Mammals of Samoa: The Complete List

Samoa’s islands host a mix of land and sea mammals shaped by isolation, ocean currents and human arrival. From fruit bats that roost in the trees to dolphins that follow the currents, the archipelago’s mammal life reflects both endemic species and widespread visitors.

There are 29 Mammals of Samoa, ranging from Black rat to Spinner dolphin. For each entry you’ll find below the Scientific name, Status, IUCN status so you can quickly scan taxonomy and conservation information before diving into the full list you’ll find below.

Which mammals in Samoa are native and which were introduced?

Native mammals are mostly bats and marine species — several flying-fox species and cetaceans are long-standing parts of Samoa’s fauna — while introduced mammals commonly include rodents (like the Black rat) and livestock brought by people; the list below notes each species’ status to clarify origin.

How current are the IUCN statuses and where does the information come from?

The IUCN status column reflects assessments from the IUCN Red List used as the primary source; for the most recent changes check the IUCN website or the citations linked in the list below, which shows Scientific name, Status, IUCN status for each species.

Mammals of Samoa

Images and Descriptions

Samoa flying fox

A large fruit bat found on main islands of Samoa; roosts in trees near villages and forests. Locally familiar but declining from hunting and habitat loss. Important pollinator and seed disperser for native trees.

Insular flying fox

Widespread island flying fox that visits Samoa’s forests and plantations. Common and adaptable, forages at night on fruit and flowers. Often seen in urban or village trees and important for reef‑edge forest regeneration.

Polynesian sheath‑tailed bat

A tiny, insectivorous bat known from caves and old buildings in Samoa and nearby islands. Extremely rare with fragmented populations; threatened by roost loss and introduced predators. One of Samoa’s most conservation‑concerned native mammals.

Polynesian rat

The small Pacific rat brought by early voyagers; now widespread in Samoa. Found in gardens, forests and villages, it damages native plants and bird eggs and is a familiar invasive species on islands.

Black rat

A versatile, tree‑climbing rat common around homes, ports and forests. Introduced in historic times and competes with native wildlife; ubiquitous on inhabited Samoan islands and notorious for spreading disease and predation.

Brown rat

A larger commensal rat found mainly near settlements, farms and ports in Samoa. Less arboreal than black rats but locally common; impacts agriculture and native fauna where present.

House mouse

Tiny, widespread commensal mouse living in and around human habitations. Common on all main islands, especially where food and shelter are available; typical global synanthrope introduced with humans.

Feral pig

Introduced by people centuries ago and now a common feral mammal in Samoan forests and uplands. Roots soil, alters vegetation and affects native ecosystems; hunted locally for meat and cultural uses.

Feral cat

Free‑roaming cats occur across Samoa and American Samoa; they prey on native birds, bats and reptiles. Cats are a familiar human commensal and a significant invasive predator on islands.

Feral dog

Free‑ranging dogs are common around villages and can roam upland areas. They may hunt wildlife, harass livestock and sometimes form feral packs; important in local cultures but pose conservation and public‑health issues.

Feral goat

Goats were introduced for food and persist in some upland and dry areas. Browsing can degrade native vegetation and promote erosion; populations vary by island and local management.

Humpback whale

Seasonal migrants that pass Samoan waters during breeding and calving seasons; celebrated by locals and tourists. Large, acrobatic whales that bring seasonal whale‑watching opportunities near offshore waters.

Sperm whale

Deep‑diving iconic toothed whales seen offshore around submarine canyons. Solitary or in small groups; hunted historically and still vulnerable globally. Occasional sightings in deep Samoan waters.

Bryde’s whale

A tropical baleen whale that occurs year‑round in warm offshore waters near Samoa. Often confused with other rorquals; medium‑sized and relatively cryptic compared with humpbacks.

Short‑finned pilot whale

Social, dark‑skinned whales that form tight pods; regularly recorded around Samoa. Known for mass strandings elsewhere and for strong social bonds within groups.

False killer whale

A large, powerful dolphin‑like cetacean recorded in Samoan waters. Forms social groups and sometimes interacts with fishing activities; vulnerable to bycatch and pollution impacts.

Orca

Occasional visitors to Samoan waters, especially offshore. Highly mobile apex predators with varied diets; sightings are less common but memorable due to their size and distinctive black‑white pattern.

Bottlenose dolphin

Familiar coastal dolphin seen near reefs and bays in Samoa. Intelligent and often curious around boats; common in many Pacific island shorelines and important for ecotourism.

Spinner dolphin

A slender, acrobatic dolphin that forms large, fast‑moving groups offshore. Frequently recorded in Pacific island waters, often seen leaping and spinning near boating routes and reefs.

Pantropical spotted dolphin

A common offshore dolphin in warm oceans, recorded around Samoa. Forms medium‑sized schools and feeds on schooling fish; adaptable and widespread across the Pacific.

Fraser’s dolphin

A deep‑water dolphin that forms large, tight schools; occasionally recorded around Samoa’s offshore waters. Fast swimmers that may appear suddenly in pelagic waters.

Melon‑headed whale

A small, fast‑moving oceanic cetacean often found in deep water near Samoa. Lives in large groups and sometimes associates with other dolphin species; distinctive pointed head.

Pygmy sperm whale

Small, shy deep‑diver occasionally found in Samoan waters. Rarely seen at the surface and often detected through strandings; little is known about population size in the region.

Dwarf sperm whale

Similar to the pygmy sperm whale and infrequently observed; deep‑water species that may strand occasionally. Presence in Samoan waters is intermittent but verified by strandings and sightings.

Cuvier’s beaked whale

A deep‑diving, elusive beaked whale recorded offshore in Samoan waters. Known for extreme dive capabilities and rare surface sightings; primarily inhabits deep oceanic habitats.

Blainville’s beaked whale

A little‑known beaked whale that inhabits deep pelagic waters. Recorded in the Pacific and occasionally around Samoa; usually detected from strandings or infrequent sightings.

Longman’s beaked whale

A poorly known, deep‑water beaked whale with occasional records in tropical Pacific seas including Samoa. Rarely seen and primarily known from offshore sightings and strandings.

Risso’s dolphin

A large, grey dolphin with a rounded head often sighted offshore Samoa. Prefers deep water and squid prey; tends to have scarred bodies from social interactions.

Rough‑toothed dolphin

Streamlined, fast dolphin occurring in Samoa’s deeper waters. Often seen in small to medium groups, sometimes close to islands’ offshore reefs and slopes.

Mammals in Other Countries