Nesomyidae facts for kids
Quick facts for kids NesomyidsTemporal range: Middle Miocene - Recent
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| Hypogeomys antimena | |
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Nesomyidae
Major, 1897
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Cricetomyinae |
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Nesomyidae is a family of African rodents. They belong to a larger group called Muroidea. This family includes many different types of mice and rats, and they all live in Africa. Some well-known members are the Malagasy rats and mice, climbing mice, African rock mice, swamp mice, pouched rats, and the white-tailed rat.
What are Nesomyids like?
Nesomyids are small to medium-sized rodents. The biggest ones are about the size of a regular rat. Depending on the species, they might look like mice, rats, voles, or even hamsters.
These animals have different diets. Some eat only plants and meat, while others eat only insects. Their habits also vary a lot. Some species are good at climbing trees, while others dig holes in the ground to hide.
When it comes to reproduction, Nesomyids can have up to four babies at a time. The babies grow inside their mother for about six weeks before they are born.
How are Nesomyids Grouped?
For a long time, scientists thought many of these animals were related to other groups of muroid rodents. However, recent genetic studies have shown that this African group is unique. It is different from other muroid rodents.
Even so, all members of the Nesomyidae family are still placed within the larger family Muridae. This family also includes all other members of the Muroidea group.
The Nesomyids are divided into 5 subfamilies. These subfamilies contain 22 different genera (groups of closely related species) and a total of 55 species.
Subfamilies
- Cricetomyinae (pouched rats)
- Delanymyinae (Delany's Mouse)
- Dendromurinae (climbing mice)
- Mystromyinae (white-tailed rat)
- Nesomyinae (Malagasy rats and mice)
- Petromyscinae (African rock mice)
See also
In Spanish: Nesomíidos para niños
