Southern tuco-tuco facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Southern tuco-tuco |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Ctenomys
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| Species: |
australis
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The southern tuco-tuco (Ctenomys australis) is a type of rodent. It belongs to the Ctenomyidae family. This animal lives only in Argentina. It is known for digging tunnels and spending most of its life underground.
Contents
About the Southern Tuco-Tuco's Body
The southern tuco-tuco is a fairly large rodent. It usually weighs between 250 and 600 grams. Its body, from head to tail, is about 15 to 25 centimeters long. Its tail adds another 6 to 11 centimeters to its length. This makes it one of the biggest species in the Ctenomys group.
These animals have a big head and short legs. They also have very noticeable front teeth, called incisors. Their fur can be dark brown or black. Their belly is usually a pale grey color. This coloring helps them blend in with the sandy soil where they live. Interestingly, their tail has no hair at all.
Where Southern Tuco-Tucos Live
The southern tuco-tuco shares its home with another type of tuco-tuco, called the Talas tuco-tuco (C. talarum). They both live in the coastal grasslands and sand dune areas. These areas are found in the Buenos Aires Province of Argentina, along the Atlantic coast. Their range stretches from Necochea to Bahia Blanca.
Even though these two species live in the same general area, they prefer different kinds of soil. The southern tuco-tuco likes softer soil. This soil often has less plant growth.
Southern Tuco-Tuco Homes
Southern tuco-tucos make their homes in sand dunes. They dig large tunnel systems. They prefer areas where there isn't much vegetation. They also like places with deep soil, which makes it easier to dig their burrows.
How Southern Tuco-Tucos Behave
Southern tuco-tucos are very protective of their space. They can be quite aggressive. They usually prefer to live alone. Scientists think they might be polygamous, meaning one male mates with several females.
When it comes to food, they are herbivores. This means they eat plants. They eat almost all the plant species found in their grassland habitat. They seem to prefer eating grasses more than other plants throughout the year.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Female southern tuco-tucos are pregnant for about 100 days. They can have babies up to two times each year. On average, a mother will give birth to about 3 young ones in a litter. However, they can have anywhere from 2 to 6 pups at a time.
Who Hunts the Southern Tuco-Tuco?
Owls sometimes hunt southern tuco-tucos. However, owls are more likely to hunt the Talas tuco-tuco. This is because the Talas tuco-tuco is smaller in size, making it an easier target for owls.
Threats to Their Home
The sandy dune homes of the southern tuco-tuco are slowly being destroyed. People are building new towns and cities in these areas. Forests are also being planted, and grasslands are expanding. This is a big problem for the tuco-tucos. They rely heavily on the sand dune environment to survive. Because of these changes, their future is at risk.
See also
In Spanish: Tuco-tuco de las dunas para niños
