Stephen Bush Rat
| Stephen Bush Rat | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Neotoma stephensi | ||||||||||||
| Goldman , 1905 |
The Stephen bush rat ( Neotoma stephensi ) is a rodent in the American bush rat genus that is found in the southwestern United States .
features
The species reaches a total length of 274 to 312 mm, with the tail length being 115 to 149 mm. The weight varies between 117 and 180 g. Males are generally larger than females. Females, on the other hand, have longer jaws than males. The Stephen bush rat's fur is yellow-brown on top, while the underside is a cream tint, often with a pink shade. The top of the feet is covered with white fur. The slightly bushy tail has a light brown or light gray-brown color on top and an even lighter underside. As an adaptation to the color of the soil, the western population is colored darker.
distribution
The distribution area of the Stephen bush rat is mainly in the US states of Arizona and New Mexico . The species continues to be found in adjacent areas of Utah and possibly Colorado . It lives in forests or in groups of trees with pinyon pines as well as with juniper . Occasionally yellow pines ( Pinus ponderosa ) and cacti can be found in the habitat .
Way of life
Like many other members of the species, the Stephen bush rat builds a nest out of branches, twigs and other found objects. A rock or a tree usually serves as the basis. The species feeds mainly on needles and seeds of the juniper bush. In doing so, it has built up a certain resistance to toxic substances such as tannins . The individuals usually learn which plants contain fewer antibodies. Furthermore, seeds of the seaweed family (Ephedraceae) belong to the diet. These are often piled up in the nest to form a supply.
This bush rat is nocturnal and does not hibernate. Most females have a litter with up to five young between March and May. Probably up to two more litters are possible during the warm months. The young animals, blind at birth, open their eyes after about two weeks. They start eating solid food after 10 to 24 days, but they usually receive breast milk by the 35th day. These data come from laboratory animals. Females reach sexual maturity after 9 to 10 months. A female's ability to reproduce is usually limited to one year.
status
There are no significant threats to the species. The Stephen bush rat is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN .
Individual evidence
- ↑ 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, Neotoma stephensi ).
- ↑ a b Jones & Hildreth: Neotoma stephensi ( Memento of the original from March 15, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Mammalian Species , No. 328 (1989): pp. 1-3.
- ↑ Stephen's Woodrat ( Memento of the original from July 28, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. , Smithsonian Institution , Retrieved October 24, 2016.
- ↑ a b c d e Neotoma stephensi in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2008. Posted by: Linzey, AV & NatureServe (Hammerson, G.), 2008. Accessed October 24, 2016th
