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Chaetodipus
Temporal range: Recent
Chaetodipus baileyi.jpg
Chaetodipus baileyi
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Subclass:
Eutheria
Order:
Rodentia
Family:
Heteromyidae
Genus:
Chaetodipus

Merriam, 1889


Chaetodipus californicus
Chaetodipus dalquesti
Chaetodipus eremicus
Chaetodipus fallax
Chaetodipus formosus
Chaetodipus goldmani
Chaetodipus hispidus
Chaetodipus intermedius
Chaetodipus lineatus
Chaetodipus nelsoni
Chaetodipus penicillatus
Chaetodipus pernix
Chaetodipus rudinoris
Chaetodipus spinatus

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Chaetodipus is a genus of pocket mouse. Like other members of their family such as pocket mice in the genus Perognathus, they are more closely related to pocket gophers than to true mice.

Characteristics

Members of this genus range in size from 80-125 mm (head and body) and weigh 15-47 grams (Nowak, 1999). Unlike the silky pocket mice (genus Perognathus), most species of the genus Chaetodipus have harsh pelage with some bordering on spiny hair. They tend to be found in arid habitats where they feed on seeds, vegetation, and insects (Nowak, 1999). Females give birth to a litter of 2-9 young after a gestation period of just under a month. The longest recorded lifespan is 8 years and 4 months (Nowak, 1999).

- Bailey's Pocket Mouse

--> Sometimes members of the genus Chaetodipus are placed in the genus Perognathus.

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Pocket mouse Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.