Brazilian arboreal mouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Brazilian arboreal mouse |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Rhagomys
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| Species: |
rufescens
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The Brazilian arboreal mouse (Rhagomys rufescens) is a small rodent that lives in South America. It belongs to the family Cricetidae, which includes many types of mice and hamsters. This special mouse is found only in the Atlantic Forest of southeast Brazil. It often lives near thick groups of bamboo plants.
For a long time, people thought this mouse was extinct because no one had seen it for over 100 years! But luckily, it has been found again in four different places. Even though it's been rediscovered, it's still very rare. The places where it lives are small parts of the forest. Sadly, forests are still being cut down, which puts this mouse in danger. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says it is a "vulnerable" animal. This means it needs our help to survive.
Contents
What Does the Brazilian Arboreal Mouse Look Like?
The Brazilian arboreal mouse is a small mouse. It has small, round ears. Its whiskers (called vibrissae) are very long. They can even reach back to its ears!
Fur and Color
The fur on its back is a reddish-brown color. This color slowly changes to a reddish-grey on its belly. The mouse's fur is very soft. This soft fur helps tell it apart from its only close relative, Rhagomys longilingua. That other mouse has spiky hairs mixed into its fur.
Tail and Feet
The Brazilian arboreal mouse's head and body are a bit longer than its tail. Its tail is brownish and has tiny scales. It also has a few blackish hairs that get longer near the tip, forming a small tuft.
Its back feet are wide. The bottom of its feet are bare, with soft, fleshy pads. The big toe on its back foot has a nail instead of a claw. This is a very unique feature for this type of mouse! Female mice have three pairs of mammary glands, which are used for feeding their babies.
Where Does It Live?
The R. rufescens mouse was first described in 1886. This was in the Rio de Janeiro State in Brazil. However, it wasn't seen there for over a century. This made people think it had disappeared forever.
New Discoveries
But good news! It has now been found in four other places in Brazil. These include areas near Ubatuba in São Paulo State, like Pincinguaba State Park. It has also been found near Viçosa in Minas Gerais State.
Its Home in the Forest
This mouse usually lives in the Atlantic Forest. It likes to be among bamboo plants. It can also live in parts of the forest that have been changed by humans.
What Do We Know About Its Life?
Scientists don't know much about the daily life of the Brazilian arboreal mouse. It's a bit of a mystery!
How They Are Found
Some of these mice have been caught in special traps called pitfall traps. These are traps sunk into the ground. But scientists think this mouse mostly lives in trees or climbs through thick plants on the ground. They believe this because of how its feet are shaped (its morphology).
What Do They Eat?
Scientists looked at the stomach of one mouse they caught. They found that it had eaten several different kinds of ants. This tells us a little about what this shy mouse likes to snack on!
