Southern cotton rat
| Southern cotton rat | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Sigmodon hirsutus | ||||||||||||
| Burmeister , 1854 |
The southern cotton rat ( Sigmodon hirsutus ) is a rodent in the burrower family that is found in Central and South America.
This taxon was longer than subspecies of spined cotton rat ( Sigmodon hispidus ). It has been recognized as a species since the beginning of the 21st century. According to a 2002 study, the southern cotton rat is the sister species of the Allen cotton rat ( Sigmodon alleni ).
features
The southern cotton rat reaches a total length of 22.5 to 36.5 cm and a weight of 100 to 225 g. The top is covered with dark brown to black fur with some gray hair mixed in. On the underside there is light gray fur that can have a light brown shade. The dark tail is only covered with a few hairs. The clearest deviations from the prickly cotton rat are in the genetic area.
distribution
The distribution area of the species extends from the state of Chiapas in southern Mexico through Central America to Colombia and Venezuela . A population in the highlands of Chiapas and Guatemala is occasionally considered a subspecies ( Sigmodon hirsutus zanjonensis ) and could represent a species of its own. The southern cotton rat lives in grasslands and fallow areas with scattered bushes and uses various forests as a habitat. It is often found in plantations.
Way of life
This burrower is mainly diurnal. Some specimens may be nocturnal in regions with dense populations. The southern cotton rat usually eats green parts of the plant that are supplemented with seeds, mushrooms and insects. The species builds a nest from grass and other parts of the plant, which is hidden under dead wood, between rocks or in grass balls. She continues to use abandoned underground burrows of other animals.
The southern cotton rat is hunted by barn owls and presumably other predators.
status
There are no significant threats to the species. 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, Sigmodon hirsutus ).
- ↑ G. Ceballos: Southern Cotton Rat , Mammals of Mexico , Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 2014, pp. 718–720
- ↑ a b c d Sigmodon hirsutus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2016 Posted by: Delgado, C. Aguilera, M. Timm, R. & Samudio, R., 2016. Accessed March 12, 2017th