Sikkim mountain vole facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sikkim mountain vole |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Neodon
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| Species: |
sikimensis
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The Sikkim mountain vole is a small animal that looks a bit like a mouse. It is a type of rodent, which means it belongs to the same group as mice, rats, and squirrels. You can find these voles in countries like Bhutan, India, Nepal, and China. Its scientific name is Neodon sikimensis.
What Does It Look Like?
The Sikkim mountain vole is a small creature. Its body, from head to tail, is about 9.7 to 11.9 centimeters (around 4 to 4.7 inches) long. Its tail is shorter, measuring about 3 to 5.2 centimeters (around 1.2 to 2 inches).
Its fur is dark brown on its back. The fur on its belly is dark grey. There's a strip of brownish-yellow fur where these two colors meet. Its feet are brownish-white on top. The tail has two colors: it's brown on the top and white underneath.
This vole looks a lot like another animal called the Chinese scrub vole. Scientists can tell them apart by looking closely at their teeth.
Where Do They Live?
The Sikkim mountain vole lives in parts of southeastern Asia. You can find them in Bhutan, and in areas of India like West Bengal and Sikkim. They also live across western, central, and eastern Nepal. In these places, they usually live in high mountains, above 2,500 meters (about 8,200 feet).
They are also found in southern Tibet Autonomous Region. Here, they live at even higher altitudes, between 2,100 and 3,700 meters (about 6,900 to 12,100 feet).
These voles like to live in places with lots of plants. Their favorite homes are mountain meadows, areas with tall, rough grass, and the edges of forests. They also like clearings in the woods.
How Are They Doing?
The Sikkim mountain vole lives in many different places. Scientists believe there are many of them in total. They live in several safe areas, like Langtang National Park and Khangchendzonga National Park. These parks help protect them.
We don't know if their numbers are going up or down. However, some things could be a problem for them. Their homes, like meadows and forest edges, are sometimes disappearing. New types of plants or animals that don't belong there can also cause trouble. Also, pet dogs and cats can sometimes hunt these voles.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) checks on animals around the world. They have said that the Sikkim mountain vole is a "least concern" species. This means they are not currently in danger of disappearing.
