Yellow-nosed cotton rat

Yellow-nosed cotton rat
	Yellow-nosed cotton rat ( Sigmodon ochrognathus )
Systematics
Superfamily :	Mice-like (Muroidea)
Family :	Burrowers (Cricetidae)
Subfamily :	Sigmodontinae
Tribe :	Sigmodontini
Genre :	Cotton rats ( Sigmodon )
Type :	Yellow-nosed cotton rat
Scientific name
	Sigmodon ochrognathus
	Bailey , 1902

The yellow-nosed cotton rat ( Sigmodon ochrognathus ) is a rodent in the burrower family that is found in southern North America.

features

This cotton rat reaches a total length of 192 to 243 mm, with the head and trunk together taking a length of 132 to 144 mm. The species has hind feet 25 to 29 mm long and ears 20 to 22 mm long and a weight of 41 to 133 g. The name-giving feature are two orange-yellow spots on both sides of the snout, which are sometimes united. Many specimens have a light eye ring. The fur on the top consists of gray hairs with brown tips. In addition, some hairs have yellow spots. On the underside there are gray woolen hairs and white outer hairs. Compared to other cotton rats in the same range, the tail is more covered with hair and has smaller scales . It has a dark color on the top and a light gray color on the underside. In each half of the jaw there is an incisor, no canine, no premier teeth and three molars .

distribution

The distribution area extends from the US states of Arizona , New Mexico and Texas to the Mexican state of Durango . The yellow-nosed cotton rat lives mainly in rocky terrain that is covered with grass. It can also be found in clearings in forests with oak, pine, or common Douglas fir . One specimen was registered at an altitude of 2,830 meters.

Way of life

The behavior of the yellow-nosed cotton rat resembles an ordinary vole . It digs underground structures in the upper soil layer or in grass balls. It also uses the abandoned nests of pocket rats or other animals. Mainly green parts of plants and fruits serve as food.

The individuals can be diurnal and nocturnal. They create trails that are mostly used by two specimens. Females can be ready to mate at any time of the year. After a gestation of about 34 days, 2 to 6 or rarely up to 9 young animals are born. The young animals get a coat of hair after just a few hours and they become independent comparatively quickly.

status

Intensive livestock farming and urbanization affect the living conditions of the yellow-nosed cotton rat in some areas. According to the IUCN, the entire population is not considered to be at risk ( least concern ).

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 ochrognathus ).
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e G. Ceballos: Yellow-nosed cotton rat , Mammals of Mexico , Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 2014, pp. 729-730
↑ ^a ^b Baker & Shump (1978): Sigmodon ochrognathus. In: Mammalian Species . No. 97, pp. 1-2.
↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d Sigmodon ochrognathus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2016 Posted by: Lacher, T., Timm, R. & Álvarez-Castañeda, ST, 2016. Accessed March 13, 2017th

[Wilson-1] 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 ochrognathus ).

[Ceballos-2] G. Ceballos: Yellow-nosed cotton rat , Mammals of Mexico , Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 2014, pp. 729-730

[Baker-3] Baker & Shump (1978): Sigmodon ochrognathus. In: Mammalian Species . No. 97, pp. 1-2.

[IUCN-4] Sigmodon ochrognathus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2016 Posted by: Lacher, T., Timm, R. & Álvarez-Castañeda, ST, 2016. Accessed March 13, 2017th