Collared tuco-tuco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Collared tuco-tuco |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ctenomys
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| Species: |
torquatus
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The collared tuco-tuco (Ctenomys torquatus) is a small animal that lives underground. It's a type of tuco-tuco, which are rodents found in South America. You can find them in southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. They dig burrows and live in grassy areas called savannahs. This animal is quite common, and experts say it's not currently in danger of disappearing.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The collared tuco-tuco is a small rodent with a short tail. Its total length is about 250 millimeters (10 inches). This includes its tail, which is about 75 millimeters (3 inches) long.
Their fur color can be very different from one animal to another. It also changes depending on where they live. Their backs can be a dark reddish-brown or a lighter yellowish-brown. Their sides and bellies are usually yellowish-white. Many of these animals have a lighter, yellowish-white band around their neck, like a collar. They might also have light spots near their front and back legs. Their tail is dark brown on both the top and bottom.
Where Do They Live?
The collared tuco-tuco is originally from southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. In Argentina, you can find them in the areas of Entre Ríos and Corrientes.
They prefer to live in high, dry savannah areas. These places have sandy soil that is free of rocks. You won't find them living in areas where people grow crops.
How Do They Live?
Most of the time, the collared tuco-tuco lives alone. They only spend time with other tuco-tucos during the breeding season.
They live in burrows that they dig themselves. These tunnels are usually less than 50 centimeters (20 inches) deep. However, they can be several meters long! They also dig special side tunnels to store their food.
The collared tuco-tuco is a herbivore, which means it eats plants. It usually eats the whole plant it finds. They are active during the day, but they are also quite shy. They only come out of their burrow for a short time to find food.
Baby Tuco-Tucos
Collared tuco-tucos have babies once a year. This usually happens between June and October. After being pregnant for about 105 days, the mother gives birth to two or three young. The babies are born safely underground in the burrow.
Are They in Danger?
The collared tuco-tuco lives in a large area and seems to have many animals. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) says it is a "least concern" animal. This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
However, in Brazil, their homes are shrinking. This is because more land is being used for farming. Also, large areas are being planted with pine and Eucalyptus trees. Coal mining also affects their habitat. For now, these are the only major threats that experts have found.
See also
In Spanish: Tucu-tucu collarado para niños
