Greater big-footed mouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Greater big-footed mouse |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
|
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Nesomyidae |
| Genus: | Macrotarsomys |
| Species: |
M. ingens
|
| Binomial name | |
| Macrotarsomys ingens (Petter, 1959)
|
|
 |
|
| Greater big-footed mouse range | |
| Script error: The function "autoWithCaption" does not exist. | |
Script error: No such module "Check for conflicting parameters".
The greater big-footed mouse is a special kind of rodent. It is also called the long-tailed big-footed mouse. Its scientific name is Macrotarsomys ingens. This mouse lives only in the northwest part of Madagascar. It was first found and described by F. Petter in 1959. Sadly, this mouse is an endangered species. This means its home is disappearing.
Contents
What Does the Greater Big-footed Mouse Look Like?
This mouse can grow up to 15 cm (6 in) long from its head to its body. Its tail is even longer, reaching up to 24 cm (9 in)! It weighs about 50 to 60 grams (1.8 to 2.1 oz). The mouse has big eyes and large, oval-shaped ears. Its feet are quite large. These big feet help it climb easily through tree branches. Its fur is brownish-fawn on top. It has a greyish layer of fur underneath. Its belly and legs are a creamy white color.
Where Does the Greater Big-footed Mouse Live?
The greater big-footed mouse lives only in one special place. This place is the Mahajanga Province in northwest Madagascar. It lives in the Ankarafantsika forest. This forest is now part of the Ankarafantsika National Park. This area does not get much rain. It has plants that are common in dry, tropical places.
Daily Life of the Mouse
This mouse is nocturnal. This means it is active at night. During the day, it sleeps in a burrow. A burrow is a hole it digs in the forest floor. The entrance to its burrow is hidden. It might be under a rock or a tree root. At night, the mouse climbs around in bushes and trees. It searches for its food there.
What Does the Greater Big-footed Mouse Eat?
Scientists believe the greater big-footed mouse is a herbivore. This means it eats only plants. It probably enjoys eating berries, fruits, and nuts. It also likely eats seeds, roots, and plant stems.
Who Hunts the Mouse?
The greater big-footed mouse can be hunted by other animals. These animals are called predators. Common predators might include snakes and birds. Some carnivorous mammals might also hunt it.
Why is the Greater Big-footed Mouse Endangered?
The greater big-footed mouse is listed as "Endangered" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This list tells us which animals are at risk. Even though there are many mice in its small home area, its total living space is very small. It is less than 5,000 square kilometres (1,900 sq mi).
Threats to its Home
The mouse's home is in danger. Fires often damage its habitat. People also cut down trees, which is called logging. This destroys the mouse's home. Also, feral animals, like wild cats or dogs, can hunt these mice. This puts the mouse at even greater risk.
 | William L. Dawson |
 | W. E. B. Du Bois |
 | Harry Belafonte |
