Paraguayan bolo mouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paraguayan bolo mouse |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Necromys
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| Species: |
lenguarum
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The Paraguayan bolo mouse is a small rodent. It is also called the Paraguayan akodont. Its scientific name is Necromys lenguarum. This mouse belongs to the family Cricetidae, which includes many types of hamsters and mice.
You can find the Paraguayan bolo mouse in South America. It lives in Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru. Scientists think it might also live in Argentina and Brazil. This mouse lives in different places, from low areas to mountains up to 2,030 meters (about 6,660 feet) high. It likes habitats like grasslands (called cerrado and heath pampas) and dry forests (known as chaco).
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About Its Name and Family
Scientists group living things into families and species. This is called taxonomy. It helps us understand how different animals are related. For the Paraguayan bolo mouse, its exact family tree has been a bit tricky for scientists to figure out.
At one time, some thought it was just a type of dark bolo mouse. Others believed it was the same as the N. lasiurus. But studies using Mitochondrial DNA (a special part of its genetic code) suggest it is its own unique species. Scientists are still working to map out exactly where each type of bolo mouse lives.
What Does It Look Like?
The Paraguayan bolo mouse is a medium-sized mouse. It grows to be about 19 centimeters (about 7.5 inches) long. Its tail is about 7.5 centimeters (about 3 inches) of that length.
The fur on its head and back is a dark grey color. Its rump, which is its lower back, has an ochre-grey (yellowish-grey) color. The sides of its body are lighter grey. Its belly is white, sometimes with a yellowish tint. The tail is black on top and white underneath. Its paws are a uniform grey color.
Where Does It Live?
According to a scientist named J. L. Patton, the Paraguayan bolo mouse lives in southeastern Peru, western Paraguay, and southwestern Brazil.
There have been reports of this mouse in eastern Bolivia and in the Jujuy and Chaco areas of northern Argentina. However, scientists need to check these sightings again. It's possible these mice were actually the N. lasiurus, which is a much more common type of bolo mouse found in many places.
Its Conservation Status
The Paraguayan bolo mouse is a common animal. It lives across a wide area. Scientists believe there are many of these mice in total.
This mouse can also handle changes to its home. For example, it can still live in areas where people have cleared plants for cattle farms. Because it is common and can adapt, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed its conservation status as "least concern". This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
