Ganzu vole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ganzu vole |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Arvicolinae |
| Genus: | Caryomys |
| Species: |
C. eva
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| Binomial name | |
| Caryomys eva (Thomas, 1911)
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The Ganzu vole is a small rodent that lives in the mountains of China. It is also known by other names like Eva's red-backed vole or Taozhou vole. This furry creature belongs to the family Cricetidae, which includes many types of hamsters and voles. The Ganzu vole is currently doing well in the wild. Experts say it is of "least concern" for its survival.
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What Does the Ganzu Vole Look Like?
The Ganzu vole is a small mammal. Its head and body are usually about 8 to 10 centimeters (3 to 4 inches) long. It also has a tail that measures about 4.5 to 6 centimeters (1.8 to 2.4 inches).
Its fur is dark reddish-brown on its back. The fur on its belly is dark grey. The tips of some of its guard hairs are buff-colored. Its paws are dark brown. The tail is dark brown on top and a lighter brown underneath. However, the two colors are not very clear. This is different from its close relative, the Kolan vole. The teeth of these two vole species also look different.
Where Do Ganzu Voles Live?
The Ganzu vole lives only in the mountainous areas of China. This means it is endemic to China. You can find it in provinces like Sichuan, Gansu, Shaanxi, Hubei, Qinghai, and Ningxia.
These voles prefer to live in moist forests. They like places with lots of moss. They live very high up in the mountains. Their homes are usually found between 2,600 and 4,000 meters (about 8,500 to 13,000 feet) above sea level. They seem to fill a similar role in their ecosystem as other red-backed voles do at lower altitudes.
What Do Ganzu Voles Eat?
The Ganzu vole is a plant-eater. It enjoys a variety of plant materials. Its diet includes tasty buds, fresh leaves, and young shoots. It also eats different types of grasses. Seeds and tree bark are also part of its meals.
Is the Ganzu Vole Safe?
The Ganzu vole is not currently in danger. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed it as "least concern". This means it is not threatened with extinction.
There are a few reasons why the Ganzu vole is doing well. It lives across a very wide area. Experts believe there are many of these voles in total. No specific threats have been found that could harm this species. Also, many protected areas exist where these voles live. Even though we don't know if their numbers are growing or shrinking, they are not declining fast enough to be worried about.
 | Calvin Brent |
 | Walter T. Bailey |
 | Martha Cassell Thompson |
 | Alberta Jeannette Cassell |
