Lava mouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lava mouseTemporal range: Late Pleistocene-Holocene
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| A life restoration of a lava mouse | |
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Malpaisomys
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| Species: |
insularis
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The lava mouse (Malpaisomys insularis) was a special type of rodent that lived only on the Canary Islands in Spain. It is now extinct, meaning it no longer exists. This mouse was the only known species in its group, called Malpaisomys.
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What Was the Lava Mouse?
The lava mouse was a small rodent, about 20 centimeters (8 inches) long. It got its name Malpaisomys from the Spanish word malpaís, which means "badlands." This name refers to the rocky lava fields where its fossil remains are often found. These fields have many caves and cracks where the mice might have lived.
Where Did It Live?
Scientists have found fossils of the lava mouse in the eastern Canary Islands. These islands include Fuerteventura, Lanzarote, and some smaller nearby islands. The fossils show that these mice lived there during the Holocene and Pleistocene periods. The Holocene period started about 11,700 years ago, and the Pleistocene period ended about 11,700 years ago.
What Did It Eat?
By studying the teeth of the lava mouse, scientists learned that it was an herbivore. This means it ate only plants. Its teeth were shaped in a way that was good for chewing tough plant material.
Why Did It Disappear?
The lava mouse became extinct after Europeans arrived in the Canary Islands. This happened sometime after the year 1270 AD. Scientists believe the main reason for its disappearance was the introduction of new animals. When people came to the islands, they often brought rats with them. These new rats likely competed with the lava mouse for food and space, or they might have hunted the lava mice.
See also
In Spanish: Ratón de malpaís para niños
- Canariomys
- List of extinct animals
- List of extinct animals of Europe
