Santiago nesoryzomys facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Santiago nesoryzomys
Conservation status
Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Cricetidae
Genus:	Nesoryzomys
Species:	N. swarthi
Binomial name
Nesoryzomys swarthi Orr, 1938
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The Santiago nesoryzomys, also known as the Santiago Galápagos mouse, is a special type of rodent. It belongs to a group of mice called Nesoryzomys. This unique mouse lives only on Santiago Island in the famous Galápagos Islands. Its natural home is a dry, warm area with lots of bushes, called a shrubland.

A Mouse Thought Lost, Then Found

For many years, people thought the Santiago Galápagos mouse was extinct. This means they believed it had completely disappeared from Earth. The last time anyone saw or recorded this mouse was way back in 1906.

Rediscovery in 1997

But then, something amazing happened! In 1997, scientists rediscovered the Santiago Galápagos mouse. This was a very exciting moment for everyone who cares about wildlife. It showed that even if an animal is thought to be gone, there's always a chance it might still be out there.

Other Rediscovered Relatives

Around the same time, another small mouse related to the Santiago nesoryzomys was also found again. This was the Fernandina rice rat (Nesoryzomys fernandinae), which lives on Fernandina Island, another island in the Galápagos. These rediscoveries give hope for other species that might be hiding.

Where the Santiago Mouse Lives

The Santiago Galápagos mouse is only found on Santiago Island. This island is part of the Galápagos archipelago, a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean.

Its Natural Home

The mouse's preferred habitat is a subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. This means it lives in warm places that don't get a lot of rain. The shrubland provides food and shelter for the mice.