Red climbing mouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red climbing mouse |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Vernaya |
| Species: |
V. fulva
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| Binomial name | |
| Vernaya fulva G.M. Allen, 1927
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| Synonyms | |
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Octopodomys fulvus |
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The red climbing mouse (Vernaya fulva) is a small, furry animal. It is a type of rodent, like a mouse or rat, and belongs to the Muridae family, which includes many mice and rats. This mouse is also called Vernay's climbing mouse. It got its name from Arthur Stannard Vernay, an explorer who helped fund the trip where this animal was first found. The red climbing mouse is the only living species in its group, called Vernaya.
Where Do Red Climbing Mice Live?
Red climbing mice live in the mountains of southern China. You can find them in provinces like Yunnan, Gansu, Sichuan, and Shaanxi. They also live in northern Myanmar. These mice prefer high places, living at elevations between 2,100 and 2,700 meters (about 6,900 to 8,900 feet) above sea level. They like areas with thick plants, such as low bushes and ferns.
What Do Red Climbing Mice Look Like?
Scientists have not seen many red climbing mice, so they are quite rare to study. These mice are fairly small. Their body, from head to tail, is usually between 58 and 75 millimeters (about 2.3 to 3 inches) long.
Their fur is soft and fluffy. It is brownish-orange along their back. This color changes to a brighter orange on their sides, neck, shoulders, and face. Their belly is a light, pale yellow color. Their ears are brown.
The tail of a red climbing mouse is very long. It can be 12 to 13 centimeters (about 4.7 to 5.1 inches) long, which is much longer than their body! The tail is dark brown and has almost no fur. Their feet have orange fur on top and lighter fur underneath. All their toes have sharp claws, except for the first toe on their front paws. This toe has a flat nail instead of a claw.
 | William M. Jackson |
 | Juan E. Gilbert |
 | Neil deGrasse Tyson |
