Colombian forest mouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Colombian forest mouse |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Chilomys
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| Species: |
instans
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The Colombian forest mouse (Chilomys instans) is a small rodent that belongs to the Cricetidae family, which includes many types of mice and hamsters. Some scientists believe it is the only species in its genus called Chilomys. Others think there might be another valid species, Chilomys fumeus, or that these mice could be part of a group of very similar species. This mouse lives in the mountainous regions of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela.
About the Colombian Forest Mouse
The Colombian forest mouse looks quite a lot like another mouse, Chilomys fumeus. Both are small mice, measuring about 72 to 102 mm (2.8 to 4.0 in) from head to body. Their tails are usually longer than their bodies, about 102 to 137 mm (4.0 to 5.4 in) long.
These mice have medium-sized ears covered with short hairs. Their fur is soft and woolly. The fur on their backs is dark grey to greyish-brown, and their bellies are a similar color. They have narrow hind feet and a thin tail with short hairs, which often has a white tip. Female mice have three pairs of mammary glands. The main way scientists tell the two species apart is by looking closely at the bones of their skulls.
Where They Live
The Colombian forest mouse is found only in South America. It lives in the mountains of Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. These mice prefer humid, or very damp, forests. You can find them at high altitudes, from about 1,000 m (3,300 ft) up to 3,700 m (12,100 ft) above sea level.
Mouse Habits and Diet
Scientists don't know a lot about the daily life of the Colombian forest mouse. It seems to be active at night, which means it is nocturnal. It lives on the ground, making little paths or "runways" through the moss and plants on the forest floor.
Its diet includes a mix of different foods. These mice eat insects, worms, and various plant parts. Interestingly, when scientists studied the stomach contents of some of these mice in Colombia, they discovered three new species of beetles! Another larger mouse, the woodland Oldfield mouse (Thomasomys hylophilus), also lives in the same areas.
Conservation Status
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has looked at the Colombian forest mouse and decided it is a species of "least concern". This means they are not worried about it becoming endangered anytime soon. The reasons for this rating are:
- It lives in a wide area.
- Scientists believe there are many of these mice.
- They live in several protected areas, which helps keep them safe.
- Their numbers are not dropping fast enough to be considered threatened.
