Chinese dormouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Chinese dormouse |
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Chaetocauda
Wang, 1985
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| Chaetocauda sichuanensis |
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The Chinese dormouse, also known as the Sichuan dormouse (Chaetocauda sichuanensis), is a special kind of dormouse. It lives in the cool, high forests of northern Sichuan, China. These forests are called subalpine mixed forests.
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Discovering the Chinese Dormouse
This amazing dormouse is quite rare! So far, scientists have only found two female dormice. They were both discovered in the Wanglang Natural Reserve. A scientist named Wang Youzhi first described this animal in 1985. Later, other scientists, Corbet and Hill, gave it a new scientific name, Chaetocauda sichuanensis. It is the only species in its group, called the Chaetocauda genus.
What Does It Look Like?
Scientists carefully measured the two dormice they found. Here's what they discovered about their size:
- Specimen 1:
- Head and body length: about 90 millimetres (3.5 in)
- Tail length: about 92 millimetres (3.6 in)
- Weight: about 24.5 grams (0.86 oz)
- Specimen 2:
- Head and body length: about 91 millimetres (3.6 in)
- Tail length: about 102 millimetres (4.0 in)
- Weight: about 36 grams (1.3 oz)
Life in the Trees
The Chinese dormouse is a nocturnal animal. This means it is awake and active at night. It is also arboreal, which means it lives in trees. These dormice build their nests high up in trees, usually about 3 metres (9.8 ft) above the ground. The two dormice found were living at a high altitude, more than 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) above sea level.
Why Is It Endangered?
The Chinese dormouse is considered endangered by the IUCN. This is because it has a very small and isolated habitat. Its home is a special place that needs to be protected.
External Links
- An illustration of The Chinese Dormouse at the Animal Diversity Web
