Mozambique bush mouse
| Mozambique bush mouse | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Grammomys cometes | ||||||||||||
| ( Thomas & Wroughton , 1908) |
The Mozambique-Busch mouse ( Grammomys cometes ) is a kind of grammomys , one to the Altweltmäusen counted genus of muridae . It is native to Southeast Africa .
Size and appearance
The Mozambique bush mouse reaches a head-trunk length of approx. 12 cm, and the tail measures approx. 18 cm. With these dimensions, the Mozambique bush vole is one of the larger species of the genus.
The upper side of the body is mostly greyish-reddish brown, with variations in coat color within the species. So there are also yellowish or completely gray colored animals. The underside, feet and parts of the front part of the face are white.
distribution and habitat
The Mozambique bush mouse is found in parts of south-east Africa. They can be found in the far northeast of South Africa , eastern Zimbabwe, and parts of Zambia , Malawi , Kenya , Tanzania, and Mozambique, and possibly Swaziland .
The species is native to forest areas and the adjacent high grass steppes , also near bodies of water. The Mozambique bush mouse is arboreal (tree-dwelling) and a skilled climber.
Behavior and reproduction
The species is a nocturnal herbivore that builds its nests of plant material in tree holes or forks of branches, in urban areas also in buildings. The mating season takes place in the summer months. The females can give birth to between 2 and 5 young animals up to three times a year . The young, which weigh about 4 grams at birth, are nestled and suckle on the mother's teats even after the 19 days of breastfeeding .
Danger
The IUCN has classified the Mozambique bush mouse as “Least Concern”, ie “not at risk”.
swell
- Gus Mills, Lex Hes: Mammals of Southern Africa. An illustrated encyclopedia. Könmann, Cologne 1999, ISBN 3-8290-3610-8 .
- IUCN to Grammomys cometes .
- Guy G. Musser , Michael D. Carleton : Superfamily Muroidea. In: 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 , pp. 894-1531.
Web link
- Grammomys cometes inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013.2. Listed by: Taylor, PJ, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2013.