Coruro
| Coruro | ||||||||||||
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Spalacopus cyanus |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Spalacopus | ||||||||||||
| Wagler , 1832 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Spalacopus cyanus | ||||||||||||
| ( Molina , 1782) |
The coruro ( Spalacopus cyanus ) is a living in South America rodent species from the family of octodontidae (Octodontidae). He is the representative of this group best adapted to a digging way of life.
features
Coruros are stocky animals with a large head and short neck. The soft fur is black-brown or black, the feet are dark gray. The tail is relatively short, it is scaly and hairless. Eyes and auricles are small. The incisor teeth are long, wide and strongly curved forward, the molars are permanently growing, the cusps on the chewing surfaces are arranged in the shape of a figure eight. Coruros reach a head body length of 11.5 to 16.5 centimeters, the tail is 4 to 6 centimeters long. The weight is 60 to 120 grams.
distribution and habitat
Coruros are endemic to Chile , they occur from the Coquimbo region to the Maule region. They inhabit coastal regions as well as mountainous regions up to 3000 meters above sea level. This species' habitat are dry areas such as savannahs and alpine grasslands.
Way of life
Coruros are extremely diurnal, they rarely come to the surface, but lead a burrowing, underground way of life. The complex structures consist of connecting tunnels that are 10 to 12 centimeters underground and 5 to 7 centimeters in diameter. From these connecting passages, paths lead to the surface of the earth, either to forage plants or to shovel up earth. These animals dig with their front paws and teeth, and the back legs are used to scrape up earth.
Buildings are shared. Groups consist of around 15 animals, including several males. The corridor systems of the individual groups can lie next to each other or even be connected to one another, so that sometimes large areas are criss-crossed with Coruro buildings. A group usually only stays in one area for a short time. If after a few days the food resources are exhausted, they move on and build new burrows.
Coruros communicate using a series of sounds, including a sequence of three to four whistling tones, each lasting five seconds.
food
Main food of Coruros are the onions and stems of Leucocoryne ixioides , a leek plant (Alliaceae). Food is consumed exclusively underground. These animals build up food stores in their burrows for the winter, they do not hibernate .
Reproduction
Little is known about reproduction, the females are likely to give birth to offspring twice a year. After a gestation period of around 77 days, two to five young animals are born. They are weaned after 60 days. Animals in human care can live to be over 5 years old.
Coruros and people
Sometimes people dig up the Coruros' food supplies, but overall the species is likely to be widespread and not threatened.
supporting documents
- ↑ Wild Cururos are diurnal . In: Small mammals sui generis . March 11, 2015 ( jimdo.com [accessed May 3, 2018]).
- ↑ Study on the reproduction and development of cururos . In: Small mammals sui generis . March 3, 2015 ( jimdo.com [accessed May 3, 2018]).
literature
- Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
- 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 .
Web links
- Information and illustration at Animal Diversity Web
- Spalacopus cyanus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2006 Posted by: J. Baillie, 1996. Accessed July 22 of 2008.