Aztec mouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Aztec mouse |
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Peromyscus
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aztecus
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The Aztec mouse (Peromyscus aztecus) is a small rodent that lives in southern Mexico and parts of Central America. It belongs to the family Cricetidae, which includes many types of mice and hamsters.
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What Does the Aztec Mouse Look Like?
The Aztec mouse is a medium-sized mouse. It grows to be about 20 to 26 cm (7.9 to 10.2 in) long. Half of its length is its tail!
Its fur is a mix of colors. On its back, it's a brownish-yellow mixed with black. The sides of its body are a brighter reddish color. Its belly is a pale, creamy yellow. The tail is lighter underneath and often has a white tip. Its feet are white. Tiny hairs on the soles of its back feet help tell it apart from other similar mice.
Where Do Aztec Mice Live?
Aztec mice are found in a few separate areas. They live in southern Mexico, southern Guatemala, Honduras, and most of El Salvador.
These mice prefer to live in mountains. You can find them at high altitudes, from about 1,000 to 2,700 m (3,300 to 8,900 ft) above sea level. They like humid highland forests, like cloud forests. They also live in forests with lots of pine and juniper trees. Sometimes, you can even find them in sugar cane and coffee farms!
Different Types of Aztec Mice
Scientists have found four slightly different groups of Aztec mice. These are called subspecies:
- P. aztecus aztecus: Found in central Veracruz and Guerrero in Mexico.
- P. aztecus cordillerae: Lives in El Salvador.
- P. aztecus evides: Found in Oaxaca, Mexico.
- P. aztecus oaxacensis: Lives in eastern Oaxaca, Chiapas (Mexico), Guatemala, and Honduras.
What Do Aztec Mice Eat?
Aztec mice mostly eat plants. Their favorite foods are grasses and seeds. But sometimes, they also enjoy insects! Up to a third of their diet can be insects, especially at certain times of the year. They munch on ants, crickets, beetles, and weevils.
Aztec Mouse Families
We don't know all the details about how Aztec mice raise their families. However, scientists have seen pregnant female mice from May to November. A mother Aztec mouse can have up to five babies at one time!
Are Aztec Mice in Danger?
Good news! The Aztec mouse is not a threatened animal. Its conservation status is listed as "least concern". This means scientists are not worried about it disappearing.
There are a few reasons for this:
- They live in a very large area.
- There are probably many Aztec mice in the wild.
- They can live in different types of habitats, which helps them survive.
Because they live in protected areas and don't seem to face any big dangers, their numbers are not expected to drop.
