Severtzov birch mouse

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Severtzov birch mouse
Systematics
Subclass : Higher mammals (Eutheria)
Order : Rodents (Rodentia)
Subordination : Mouse relatives (Myomorpha)
Family : Sminthidae
Genre : Birch mice ( Sicista )
Type : Severtzov birch mouse
Scientific name
Sicista severtzovi
Ognev , 1935

The Severtzov birch mouse ( Sicista severtzovi ) is a little-known species of birch mouse .

External features

This birch mouse species is one of the smaller species with a head-to-trunk length of 5.4 to 7 cm and a tail length between 6.8 and 8.0 cm. The basic tone of the fur is gray-brown. The dorsal line is black, yellowish on the sides and extends between the neck and tail. Can be easily distinguished from the steppe birch mouse ( Sicista subtilis ) due to its isolated occurrence from other species of birch mouse and its significantly darker color .

distribution

Distribution of the Severtzov birch mouse

The habitat of the Severtzov birch vole is formed by scree steppes, fallow land, pastureland and, in some cases, cultivated land in the Ukraine and southern Russia . Ognev was the first to describe this type of find in 1935 from the Kamennaya region in Voronezh (Ukraine). Several subspecies have been defined so far, but could not hold due to chromosomal polymorphisms.

behavior

The Severtzov birch mouse is nocturnal and lives on the ground. During the day she is believed to be in a burrow. When this species hibernates is largely unclear, but it was first spotted between April and May. The litters occur between June and July, with between three and four young being born.

food

Severtzov birch mice eat grass seeds, berries and fruits , but also insects and larvae.

literature

  • Eckhard Grimmberger, Klaus Rudloff, Christian Kern: Atlas of the mammals of Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. NTV Natur und Tier-Verlag, Münster 2009, ISBN 978-3-86659-090-8 .

Web links