Northern grass mouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Northern grass mouse |
|
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Necromys
|
| Species: |
urichi
|
| Synonyms | |
|
|
The northern grass mouse, also known as the northern akodont, is a type of rodent. Its scientific name is Necromys urichi. This small mammal belongs to the Cricetidae family, which includes many kinds of mice and hamsters. You can find this mouse in several South American countries, including Brazil, Colombia, and Venezuela, as well as on the islands of Trinidad and Tobago.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The northern grass mouse is a medium-sized rodent. Its fur on its back is a dark reddish-brown, mixed with black hairs. The fur on its belly is lighter, with hairs that are dark at the bottom and yellowish or light gray at the tips.
Around its eyes, there's a small area of bare skin. Its chin and throat usually have hairs with gray tips. The mouse's ears are covered with a few rusty brown hairs. Its tail is dark brown all over, with a scattering of hairs, but it doesn't have a tuft at the end. The tops of its feet have dark yellowish-brown fur, and there are small tufts of hair near its nails. The first and fifth toes on its back feet are shorter than the middle three.
Where Does It Live?
The northern grass mouse lives in Trinidad and Tobago and in the mountains of northern and southern Venezuela. It is also found in eastern Colombia and northern Brazil. These mice can live at different heights, from about 240 meters (787 feet) up to 2,232 meters (7,323 feet) above sea level.
This mouse mostly lives on the ground. It prefers to live in evergreen and deciduous forests, which are forests that either stay green all year or lose their leaves in certain seasons. Sometimes, it can also be found in savannahs, which are grassy plains. It especially likes damp areas near streams, where there are rocks and bushy plants.
Life and Habits
The northern grass mouse is active both during the day and at night. It searches for food at all hours. Its diet mainly consists of green plants and seeds.
Reproduction
Female northern grass mice are ready to have babies when they are about 2.7 months old. They can breed throughout the year, but they tend to have more babies in May and June. On average, a female mouse will have about five babies in each litter. They can have three or four litters of babies each year.
Conservation Status
The northern grass mouse is found in many places, but it's not very common everywhere. Scientists believe that this "species" might actually be several different types of mice that look very similar. If this is true, some of these new species might be in danger.
However, for now, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the northern grass mouse as a "least concern" species. This means that, as a whole, it is not currently considered to be at high risk of disappearing.
