Gardner's climbing mouse facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gardner's climbing mouse
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Cricetidae
Genus:	Rhipidomys
Species:	R. gardneri
Binomial name
Rhipidomys gardneri Patton et al., 2000
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Gardner's climbing mouse, also known by its scientific name Rhipidomys gardneri, is a small rodent that lives in South America. You can find this mouse in parts of western Brazil, southeastern Peru, and northeastern Bolivia. It's a type of mouse that loves to climb trees, but it's not very common. Luckily, experts say it's a "least-concern species", meaning it's not currently in danger.

What Does Gardner's Climbing Mouse Look Like?

Gardner's climbing mouse is one of the bigger mice in its family. Its body, from head to tail base, is about 150 to 190 mm (5.9 to 7.5 in) long. Its tail is even longer than its body!

The fur on its back is short and a bit rough. It can be grey or orange-brown, with each hair having different colored bands. Its belly is yellowish. The hairs on its throat and the middle of its chest have grey bases.

The mouse's tail is dark brown and covered in short hairs. It has a small tuft of hairs right at the tip. Its ears are round and medium-sized. The top of its large back feet has a dark patch, but this dark color does not go onto its toes.

Where Does Gardner's Climbing Mouse Live?

Gardner's climbing mouse makes its home in southeastern Peru. It also lives in Acre State, which is the most western state in Brazil. You can also find it in the northeastern part of Bolivia.

This mouse lives in both old, untouched forests and newer forests that have grown back. It can be found at different heights, from about 200 and 2,500 m (700 and 8,200 ft) above sea level or even higher. It lives near several rivers, including the Juruá, Ucayeli, Madre de Dios, and Beni rivers.

Is Gardner's Climbing Mouse Safe?

Gardner's climbing mouse lives across a wide area. Even though it's not a very common animal, it's quite good at adapting. Besides living in forests, it has learned to live in places changed by humans.

For example, these mice have been found living in the thatched roofs of houses. One mother mouse was even found raising her babies inside a furniture drawer! Because it can adapt so well, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says it is a "least concern" species. This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.