Caucasus snow mouse
| Caucasus snow mouse | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Chionomys gud | ||||||||||||
| ( Satunin , 1909) |
The Caucasus snow mouse ( Chionomys gud ) is a rodent from the family of the burrowers (Cricetidae) that occurs in the Caucasus region.
features
The species is similar to the Eurasian snow mouse ( Chionomys nivalis ) in external appearance. Compared to Eurasian snow mice from the Black Sea region, the Caucasus snow mouse has a longer tail in relation to its body length. In addition, males have a more robust penis bone than the other snow mouse species. The Caucasian snow mouse reaches a head-trunk length of 112 to 130 mm, a tail length of 57 to 79 mm and a weight of 34 to 63 g. The hind feet are 18 to 21 mm long and the length of the ears is 15 to 19 mm.
The fur on the upper side is colored gray with irregularly distributed brown shades. It merges into the whitish underside without a clear border. The tail can have a lighter underside or be light gray on both sides. The Caucasian snow mouse has orange or yellow enamel on the front surfaces of the upper incisors, while the enamel of the lower incisors is light yellow. The vibrissae are up to 40 mm long and white. Aside from the external genital organs, there are no visible differences between females and males.
distribution
The Caucasus snow mouse lives in the Caucasus and in the upstream mountains in Russia , Georgia , Turkey and Azerbaijan . She stays in regions that are 500 to 3000 meters above sea level. Rocky landscapes with sparse vegetation and forest edges serve as living space. The species can often be found in clearings covered with grass in open coniferous forests. In Turkey, the Caucasian snow mouse generally inhabits more humid areas than the Eurasian snow mouse.
Way of life
This rodent's burrow is a natural cavity between rocks or tree roots. Sometimes simple tunnels are dug. The Caucasian snow mouse is mostly active during twilight. In autumn it can also look for food during the day, which consists of parts of plants such as grass, moss, berries or twigs. From June and through to winter, like pika , it stores larger supplies in piles of hay or brushwood, which can weigh up to 6 kg. The Caucasian snow mouse is active in winter, but remains under construction or under snow cover.
The breeding season depends on the altitude and generally ranges from May to October. During this period, females can have up to four litters with 3 to 4 young animals. Females born in the spring can litter once or twice by winter. The stock size should not be subject to periodic fluctuations.
status
There are no significant threats to the Caucasian snow mouse. It is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN .
supporting documents
- ↑ Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Chionomys gud ).
- ↑ a b c d Kryštufek & Vohralík: Mammals of Turkey and Cyprus ( en , pdf) Univerza Koper. Pp. 222-227. 2005. Retrieved July 16, 2017.
- ↑ a b c Chionomys gud in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2016 Posted by: Krystufek, B., Bukhnikashvili, A. & Sozen, M., 2016. Accessed July 23, 2017th