Long-tongued arboreal mouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Long-tongued arboreal mouse |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Rhagomys
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| Species: |
longilingua
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The long-tongued arboreal mouse (scientific name: Rhagomys longilingua) is a small rodent that lives in South America. It belongs to the Cricetidae family, which includes many types of mice and rats.
This mouse can be found in different places, like thick forests, in Bolivia and Peru. It lives on the eastern side of the Andes mountains, at heights from 450 to 2,100 meters (about 1,476 to 6,890 feet) above sea level.
The long-tongued arboreal mouse spends at least some of its time living in trees. It is different from its only known relative, the Brazilian arboreal mouse (R. rufescens). You can tell them apart because the long-tongued mouse has spiny fur and special features on its skull.
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What Does the Long-Tongued Arboreal Mouse Look Like?
An adult long-tongued arboreal mouse usually weighs between 25 and 35 grams (about 0.9 to 1.2 ounces). Its tail is almost as long as its head and body combined.
Its fur is short and thick. It's a mix of long, thin hairs and spines, which makes the mouse look a bit bristly. The fur on its back is olive-brown. Its belly is a yellowish-brown color and has fewer spines.
The tail is dark on top and a bit lighter underneath. It has rings of scales, and the hairs get longer towards the tip, ending in a small tuft.
Feet and Other Features
The front feet of this mouse have five long toes. These toes have wide, blunt tips and short, narrow claws that barely stick out.
Its back feet are short and wide, also with five toes. These toes have blunt, tough tips. The big toe (called the hallux) is shorter than the others and has a nail instead of a claw.
Female long-tongued arboreal mice have three pairs of mammary glands, which they use to feed their young.
Where Does This Mouse Live?
The long-tongued arboreal mouse has been found in four different places. All these places are on the eastern slopes of the Andes mountains in South America.
These locations are in Peru and Bolivia. The farthest distance between any two of these spots is about 520 kilometers (323 miles). They live at different heights, from 450 to 1,900 meters (about 1,476 to 6,234 feet) above sea level.
What Does the Long-Tongued Arboreal Mouse Eat?
Scientists believe this mouse mainly eats insects. When they looked at the contents of its stomach, they found parts of flies, ants, and moths. The mouse's short gut and special teeth also suggest it eats insects.
How Does It Live?
The shape of its feet, its eyes that point forward, and its short snout suggest that it lives in trees. This means it is an arboreal species.
Most of the mice studied were caught in pitfall traps on the ground. However, one was found about a meter (3 feet) above the ground in a clump of bamboo.
The mouse has a very long tongue. This long tongue might help it pull insects out of small cracks and hiding spots. However, scientists still have a lot to learn about this animal and its daily life.
Is the Long-Tongued Arboreal Mouse Endangered?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the long-tongued arboreal mouse as a "least concern" species. This means it is not currently considered to be in danger of disappearing.
Even though it has only been found in a few places, it can live in different types of habitats. There are no major threats to this mouse right now. Because of this, it is not thought to be declining fast enough to be placed in a more threatened category.
