Common neacomys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Common neacomys |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Neacomys
|
| Species: |
spinosus
|
The Neacomys spinosus, also called the common bristly mouse, is a small rodent from South America. It gets its name from the slightly spiky fur on its back. This mouse is mostly active at night, which means it is nocturnal.
You can find the common bristly mouse in several countries. These include Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It often lives in places where thick forests meet more open areas. Its favorite foods are insects, seeds, and fruits.
Contents
What is the Common Bristly Mouse?
This interesting mouse was first described in 1882. A British zoologist named Oldfield Thomas gave it its scientific name. There are three main types, or subspecies, of the common bristly mouse.
- N. s. spinosus lives near the Andes mountains in Peru.
- N. s. carceloni is found in the Andean foothills of Colombia and Ecuador.
- N. s. amoenas makes its home in the Amazon basin of western Brazil.
What Does the Bristly Mouse Look Like?
The Neacomys spinosus is the largest mouse in its group, the Neacomys genus. Its body, from head to tail, is about 7.5 to 10.5 centimeters (3 to 4 inches) long.
Fur and Color
The color of its fur can change depending on where it lives. Mice from the central and western parts of its home range might be yellowish-brown mixed with black. Others can be a dark reddish-brown. If you find one further east, like in Mato Grosso state in Brazil, it might be a brighter, more orange-yellow color.
Its back has short, grooved spines mixed in with its fur. This fur feels a bit rough or coarse. The fur on its belly is usually a pale color.
Head and Skull
The skull of the common bristly mouse is quite strong. It is longer than other mice in its group. The part of the skull that holds the brain is also fairly thin.
Where Does the Bristly Mouse Live?
The N. spinosus lives in a very large area. This includes much of the Amazon basin and the eastern foothills of the Andes mountains. Its home stretches from central and western Brazil all the way to southeastern Colombia. It also lives in eastern Ecuador, eastern Peru, and central and northern Bolivia.
Preferred Habitats
This mouse mostly prefers moist, lowland forests with broad-leafed trees. It also lives in forested hilly areas. It can be found at heights of up to 2,000 meters (about 6,500 feet) above sea level.
You might also spot it in more open places. These include the edges of lowland forests, areas where new plants are growing after old ones were cleared, and even in farms and gardens. In Brazil, it shares its home with two other types of mice: Neacomys minutus and Neacomys musseri.
How Does the Bristly Mouse Live?
The common bristly mouse is a nocturnal animal. This means it is most active at night, searching for food.
Diet and Breeding
Its diet includes a variety of foods like seeds, fruits, and insects. It seems to have babies throughout the year. However, there might be more babies born at the start of the wet season. A mother mouse usually has two to four young at a time.
Is the Bristly Mouse in Danger?
The common bristly mouse lives in a very wide area and is quite common. Its numbers can go up and down a lot during different times of the year. But this mouse can handle changes to its home, like when forests are cleared.
Because of its wide range and ability to adapt, experts are not worried about it disappearing. The International Union for Conservation of Nature says its conservation status is "least concern." This means it is not currently at risk of becoming extinct.
