Mendoza tuco-tuco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mendoza tuco-tuco |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ctenomys
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| Species: |
mendocinus
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| Synonyms | |
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Ctenomys azarae Thomas, 1903 Ctenomys porteousi Thomas, 1916 |
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The Mendoza tuco-tuco (Ctenomys mendocinus) is a type of rodent that lives underground. It belongs to the family Ctenomyidae. These small animals are known for their digging habits and their unique sounds.
Contents
What is a Mendoza Tuco-Tuco?
The Mendoza tuco-tuco is a small rodent. It is part of a group of animals called tuco-tucos. They get their name from the sound they make, which sounds like "tuc-tuc."
How Scientists Name Animals
Sometimes, scientists discover that animals they thought were different species are actually the same. This happened with the Mendoza tuco-tuco.
- Azara's tuco-tuco (C. azarae) and Porteous's tuco-tuco (C. porteousi) were once thought to be separate species.
- A study in 2021 showed they are the same as the Mendoza tuco-tuco.
- The American Society of Mammalogists now agrees with this finding.
Who Were Azara and Porteous?
- Azara's tuco-tuco was named after Félix de Azara. He was a Spanish naturalist who studied nature.
- Porteous's tuco-tuco was named after Lieutenant Colonel John James Porteous and his nephew Don Cecil John Montague Porteous. They owned land in Argentina.
Appearance and Features
The Mendoza tuco-tuco has a unique look that helps it live underground.
- Size: They are about 23 to 28 centimeters (9 to 11 inches) long. Their tails are about 7 to 9 centimeters (3 to 3.5 inches) long.
- Weight: They weigh between 100 and 250 grams (about 3.5 to 9 ounces). Males are usually bigger than females.
- Body Shape: They have a strong, stocky body. Their limbs (legs) and ears are short.
- Fur: Their fur is mostly light brown. They have small hints of black and white on their backs. Their tails are light in color.
- Claws: Their front paws have long claws. These claws are very important for digging tunnels.
Where They Live
The Mendoza tuco-tuco lives only in a specific part of the world.
- Location: They are found only in the northern and central parts of the Mendoza province in Argentina.
- Elevation: They live at many different heights, from about 460 meters (1,500 feet) to 3,600 meters (11,800 feet) above sea level.
Behavior and Life Cycle
Mendoza tuco-tucos are mostly solitary animals. They spend most of their lives underground.
Digging and Tunnels
- They dig tunnels using their strong front claws.
- Sometimes, they use their front teeth (incisors) to help dig.
- They usually stay underground during the day.
Finding Food
- Even though they live underground, they like to eat plants that grow above the ground.
- They will come to the surface to find food.
Baby Tuco-Tucos
- Baby tuco-tucos are born after about three months.
- When they are born, they are almost naked and cannot see.
- They drink their mother's milk for about 56 days.
- They become independent and can live on their own after about 80 days.
What They Eat
The Mendoza tuco-tuco is an herbivore. This means it eats only plants.
- They mostly eat grasses.
- In some areas, like the Andean Precordilla region, they are very picky eaters. They prefer grasses and try to avoid shrubs.
- They like to eat parts of plants that are above the ground. This is true even though they live underground and food can be hard to find.
See also
In Spanish: Tucu-tucu de Mendoza para niños
