Pied desert shrew
| Pied desert shrew | ||||||||||||
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,_Gescheckte_W%C3%BCstenspitzmaus,_Piebald_Shrew,_%D0%9C%D0%BE%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9_%D0%B7%D0%BE%D0%BE%D0%BF%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%BA_(Moscow_zoo),_18.11.2008.jpg)
Pied desert shrew, Moscow Zoo |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Diplomesodon | ||||||||||||
| Brandt , 1852 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Diplomesodon pulchellum | ||||||||||||
| ( Lichtenstein , 1823) |
The pied desert shrew ( Diplomesodon pulchellum ) is a species of shrew . It occurs in southern Russia (east of the Volga ) and in Central Asia ( Kazakhstan , Uzbekistan , Turkmenistan ).
Pied desert shrews get their name from the striking coat pattern. Its top is covered with dark gray hair, on the back of the back there is a large oval, white spot. The underside, feet and tail are also white. Like all shrews, they have an elongated snout and small eyes. Elastic hairs on the feet (which are built similar to that of the water shrews ) prevent the animals from sinking into the loose sand. These animals reach a head trunk length of five to eight centimeters and a weight of seven to thirteen grams.
In contrast to most other species of shrew, pied desert shrews do not inhabit moist habitats, but dry steppes and semi-deserts . They move quickly and often seek shelter in caves, crevices or in the bushes. These animals are primarily nocturnal and solitary outside of the mating season. Once or several times a year, the female gives birth to an average of five young.
Their diet consists of lizards as well as the usual insects found in shrews . These are caught with a bite in the head or neck and, despite strong resistance, held until they are exhausted. Then they are eaten hastily.
All owners of European zoo history are in Russia.
supporting documents
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
Web links
- Diplomesodon pulchellum inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.2. Posted by: Tsytsulina, K., Formozov, N. & Sheftel, B., 2008. Retrieved December 27, 2013.