Budin's tuco-tuco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Budin's tuco-tuco |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ctenomys
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| Species: |
budini
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The Budin's tuco-tuco (Ctenomys budini) is a type of rodent. It was once thought to be its own special animal species. This small creature belongs to the Ctenomyidae family.
This tuco-tuco lives only in a small area. It is found in the southeast part of Jujuy Province in northwest Argentina. Because many people live in this small area, experts worried it might be in danger.
Today, the IUCN (a group that studies animals) thinks the Budin's tuco-tuco is not a separate species. Instead, they believe it is a type of C. frater, which is another tuco-tuco. This means it is now seen as a subspecies.
The animal was named after Emilio Budin. He was from Argentina and collected animal samples. He worked with a famous scientist named Oldfield Thomas.
Contents
What is a Tuco-Tuco?
Tuco-tucos are small rodents. They are known for living underground. They dig tunnels and burrows, much like moles or gophers. Their name "tuco-tuco" comes from the sound they make. It sounds like "tuc-tuc" when they are in their tunnels.
These animals have strong claws. They use them for digging. They also have large front teeth. These teeth help them chew through roots and soil. Tuco-tucos are mostly active during the day. They spend their time looking for food.
Where Did It Live?
The Budin's tuco-tuco lived in a specific part of Argentina. This area is called Jujuy Province. It is in the northwest part of the country. This region has different types of land. It includes mountains and valleys.
Being "endemic" means an animal lives only in one place. The Budin's tuco-tuco was endemic to this small area. This makes it special. It also means it could be more easily affected by changes in its home.
Why Was It Thought to Be Threatened?
When an animal is "threatened," it means its numbers are getting low. It might be in danger of disappearing forever. The Budin's tuco-tuco was thought to be threatened for a few reasons.
One big reason was the "extensive human presence." This means many people live in its small home area. When people build homes, roads, or farms, they change the land. This can take away the natural places where animals live.
The IUCN listed it as "Data Deficient" (DD). This means there wasn't enough information about the animal. Scientists did not know exactly how many there were. They also did not know how much their home was changing. More studies were needed to understand its true situation.
How Animals Get Their Names
Animals often get their scientific names from scientists. Sometimes, they are named after the person who found them. Or they are named after someone important in science.
The Budin's tuco-tuco was named after Emilio Budin. He was a collector. Collectors help scientists by finding new animals. They also gather samples for study. This helps us learn more about the natural world. Oldfield Thomas was the scientist who officially described this tuco-tuco in 1913.
See also
- Tuco-tuco de Budin para niños (in Spanish)
