Hotson's mouse-like hamster facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hotson's mouse-like hamster |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Calomyscus
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| Species: |
hotsoni
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The Hotson's mouse-like hamster (Calomyscus hotsoni) is a small rodent that looks a bit like a mouse. It's also called Hotson's calomyscus or Hotson's brush-tailed mouse. This animal lives only in parts of southwestern Pakistan and southeastern Iran.
What's in a Name?
This special rodent was named by a scientist named Oldfield Thomas in 1920. He named it after John Ernest Buttery Hotson. Mr. Hotson was the person who first found and collected four of these animals in a place called Balochistan in 1918.
For a long time, people called it "Hotson's mouse-like hamster." This was because scientists thought it was related to hamsters. However, later studies showed that Calomyscus animals are actually quite different from hamsters. They are now in their own special family called Calomyscidae.
To make it clear that these animals are not hamsters, some scientists suggested calling it "Hotson's calomyscus." Others thought it was better to use a name that describes what the animal looks like. So, they proposed "Hotson's brush-tailed mouse." This name highlights its brush-like tail. Today, "Hotson's brush-tailed mouse" is often used. But many researchers still use its scientific name, Calomyscus hotsoni.
Where Does it Live and What's it Like?
At first, scientists only knew about four of these animals. Because of this, they thought the Hotson's brush-tailed mouse was an endangered animal. This means it was at high risk of disappearing forever.
But then, more animals were found! Scientists discovered more Calomyscus hotsoni in southeastern Iran. Later, even more were found in different parts of Pakistan. These new discoveries showed that the species was more widespread than first thought. Because of this new information, its conservation status was changed. Now, it is listed as "Least Concern." This means it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The Hotson's brush-tailed mouse is smaller than another similar species found in Pakistan, called C. baluchi. It has fur that is pale yellow-brown with black tips. Scientists can tell the two species apart by looking at their skulls. Genetic tests also show they became different species about 2 million years ago.
What's its Home Like?
The Hotson's brush-tailed mouse lives in places that are between 67 and 1890 meters high. It likes rocky areas in very dry regions. You can often find it where dwarf palms, called Nannorrhops ritchiana, grow. Other small rodents, like Mus saxicola and Acomys dimidiatus, are sometimes found living in the same areas.
