Western Saharan spiny mouse facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Western Saharan spiny mouse |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Acomys |
| Species: |
A. airensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Acomys airensis |
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The Western Saharan spiny mouse (also called the Aïr spiny mouse) is a small rodent that lives in dry areas of western Africa. Its scientific name is Acomys airensis. These mice are special because they have spiny hairs on their backs, a bit like tiny porcupines! They mostly eat insects.
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Meet the Western Saharan Spiny Mouse
The Western Saharan spiny mouse is a small animal. It has big ears, small eyes, and a pointy nose. Its fur on its back is a brownish-yellow color. Each hair is gray at the bottom and reddish-brown near the tip.
What makes this mouse unique are the spiny hairs on its back. These hairs are usually found on the back part of older mice. They can even spread forward towards the head. The fur on its belly is white and clearly stands out from the sides. You might also see small white spots under its eyes and behind its ears.
Where This Mouse Lives
The Western Saharan spiny mouse lives in western Africa. It is found north of the Niger River. Scientists have definitely seen it in southern Mauritania, Mali, and Niger. It might also live in Chad, Western Sahara, and the very southern parts of Algeria.
Its Home and Habitat
This mouse lives in a dry area called the Sahel savanna. It likes rocky places. But you can also find it in gardens and even inside buildings! Sometimes, it has been seen in sandy areas, like near the Inner Niger Delta. It can live at altitudes up to 1,000 meters (about 3,300 feet) above sea level.
How the Spiny Mouse Lives
The Western Saharan spiny mouse spends most of its time on the ground. It is mainly active at night. However, some have been seen moving around during the day too. It probably rests in cracks and small spaces in rocks. It does not seem to dig burrows.
In southern Mauritania, pregnant female mice have been found in August and October. These mice are quite common and easy to catch in many areas. Barn owls are a major predator that hunt these mice. The skin on their tails can break off easily. Like other spiny mice, this mouse eats many different things. But it mostly eats insects.
About Its Name
Scientists group animals based on how they are related. The Western Saharan spiny mouse was once thought to be the same as the Cairo spiny mouse. But scientists found differences in their chromosomes. This means they are different species.
It might also be the same as Chudeau's spiny mouse from Morocco. If that is true, then the correct scientific name for this mouse would be Acomys chudeaui. This is because that name was given first.
 | Sharif Bey |
 | Hale Woodruff |
 | Richmond Barthé |
 | Purvis Young |
