Big ear mice

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Big ear mice
Auliscomys pictus

Auliscomys pictus

Systematics
Superfamily : Mice-like (Muroidea)
Family : Burrowers (Cricetidae)
Subfamily : Sigmodontinae
Oryzomyalia
Tribe : Phyllotini
Genre : Big ear mice
Scientific name
Auliscomys
Osgood , 1915

The big ear mice ( Auliscomys ) are a species of rodent living in South America from the group of New World mice . They include 3 types.

These animals reach a head body length of 10 to 15 centimeters, the tail is 4 to 12 centimeters long. Their fur is gray-brown on the top and white or light gray on the underside. The name-giving feature are the large, 2.5 to 3.5 centimeters long, rear-facing ears.

Bigeons inhabit the Andean regions in Peru , Bolivia , northern Chile and northern Argentina . They are outspoken height specialists and live in areas up to almost 6000 meters above sea level. Their habitat are grasslands and other open habitats.

Depending on the species, they are diurnal or nocturnal. They hide in crevices in the rock or burrow crested rats or other animals. The species A. boliviensis in particular often socialises with rabbit mice and benefits from their alarm calls. The diet of these animals consists of grains, fruits and green plant material. Several times a year the female gives birth to three to five young animals.

There are three types:

  • Auliscomys boliviensis inhabits southern Peru, western Bolivia and northern Chile. It is sometimes listed in its own genus, Maresomys .
  • Auliscomys pictus lives in Peru and northwestern Bolivia .
  • Auliscomys sublimis is distributed from southern Peru to northwestern Argentina. The species is characterized by a significantly shorter tail.

Sometimes the species of the genus Loxodontomys are also incorporated into this genus.

None of the species is endangered according to the IUCN .

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 .
  • Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .

Web links

Commons : Big-eared Mice ( Auliscomys )  - Collection of images, videos and audio files