Gray akodont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gray akodont |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Abrothrix
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| Species: |
illuteus
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| Synonyms | |
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Akodon illuteus |
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The gray akodont (scientific name: Abrothrix illuteus) is a small rodent. People also call it the gray grass mouse or gray soft-haired mouse. It belongs to the Abrothrix group in the Cricetidae family. You can only find this mouse in northwestern Argentina.
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What the Gray Akodont Looks Like
The gray akodont has soft, long fur. Its back is a solid olive-gray color. It has small tufts of white hair on its chin. The hairs near its upper legs (inguinal area) are white at the bottom. Its belly is an ashy-gray color.
This mouse has a short tail that is covered with hair. Its feet are large. Both its front and back feet have claws of the same size. The bottom of its feet are bare, meaning they don't have fur. The gray akodont's skull is strong, and it has a long nose.
Where the Gray Akodont Lives
The gray akodont lives in northwestern Argentina. It is found in Catamarca Province and Tucumán Province. These areas are on the eastern side of the Andes mountains. The mouse lives at medium heights, from about 700 to 2,500 meters (2,300 to 8,200 feet) above sea level.
Its favorite home is in moist forests. These forests often have Podocarpus parlatorei and Alnus acuminata trees. It likes to live on steep hillsides. At higher elevations, you can find it near streams. Here, it lives among rough grasses and bushes.
What the Gray Akodont Eats
Scientists have studied what the barn owl (Tyto alba) eats in Tucumán Province. They found that the gray akodont was the second most common animal in the barn owl's diet. This means barn owls often hunt and eat these mice.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) checks on animals around the world. They have decided that the gray akodont is a "least concern" species. This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
We don't know exactly how many gray akodonts there are. However, they live in a large area. They are also found in some protected natural areas. The main dangers to this mouse might be from cutting down trees (logging), wildfires, and cows eating too much grass (cattle grazing).
See also
In Spanish: Ratón grande para niños
