Small-eared colilargo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Small-eared colilargo |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Genus: | Oligoryzomys |
| Species: |
O. microtis
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| Binomial name | |
| Oligoryzomys microtis Allen, 1916
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The Oligoryzomys microtis, also known as the small-eared colilargo or small-eared pygmy rice rat, is a type of rodent. It belongs to the Oligoryzomys group, which is part of the Cricetidae family. You can find this small rat in parts of western Brazil, eastern Peru, Bolivia, and northern Paraguay.
Contents
What is the Small-Eared Pygmy Rice Rat Like?
The small-eared pygmy rice rat is quite tiny! It measures about 188 mm (7.4 in) from its nose to the tip of its tail. Its tail alone is around 106 mm (4.2 in) long. This little rodent weighs about 18 g (0.63 oz). It is actually the smallest species in its entire group.
Its back feet are quite long compared to its body. They are about 28.5% of its head and body length. This is a bit longer than a similar species, Oligoryzomys nigripes. The ears of the small-eared pygmy rice rat are small and have thick fur inside. Its cheeks can be grey or a brownish-orange color. The fur on its back is brownish, while its belly is whitish or greyish, sometimes with a light buff color. Its tail is usually darker on top than underneath.
Where Does the Small-Eared Pygmy Rice Rat Live?
This small rodent lives in South America. Its home stretches from northwestern Brazil, south of the Solimões River and Amazon River, into the nearby lowlands of Peru and Bolivia. It also lives in northern Argentina, eastern Paraguay, and the Gran Chaco plain.
The small-eared pygmy rice rat likes to live in wet places. Its favorite spots are marshes and wet grasslands. In Brazil, it often lives near the edges of forests, in areas with trees along rivers (called gallery woodland), and in forests that are growing back after being cleared. In Paraguay, it can be found in both dry and wet marshlands. It has even been seen living on floating clumps of plants!
Life Cycle and Habits
These rats start having babies when they are quite young, even before their adult fur grows in. They have a high chance of getting pregnant. In Bolivia, scientists have found pregnant females in March, May, August, and September. A mother rat can have anywhere from two to eight babies at a time.
Scientists have also found a virus called the Rio Mamore virus in this species in Bolivia.
Is the Small-Eared Pygmy Rice Rat in Danger?
The small-eared pygmy rice rat is a very common animal in many parts of its wide home range. It is also quite good at adapting to changes in its environment. This means it can handle some damage to its habitat.
Because of this, experts have not found any special threats to this species. Its population seems to be steady. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed its conservation status as "least concern." This means it is not currently in danger of disappearing.
 | Kyle Baker |
 | Joseph Yoakum |
 | Laura Wheeler Waring |
 | Henry Ossawa Tanner |
