Vesperratte

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Vesperratte
Nyctomys sumichrasti (right)

Nyctomys sumichrasti (right)

Systematics
Superfamily : Mice-like (Muroidea)
Family : Burrowers (Cricetidae)
Subfamily : Tylomyinae
Tribe : Nyctomyini
Genre : Nyctomys
Type : Vesperratte
Scientific name of the  genus
Nyctomys
Saussure , 1860
Scientific name of the  species
Nyctomys sumichrasti
( Saussure , 1860)

The Vesper rat ( Nyctomys sumichrasti ) is in Central America living rodent species from the group of New world .

Vesper rats reach a head body length of 11 to 13 centimeters, in addition there is the 9 to 16 centimeter long tail. Their weight is around 40 to 60 grams. The short, dense fur is cinnamon or brownish in color on the upper side, the belly and feet are white. The small ears are sparsely hairy, the tail slightly bushy. Each eye is surrounded by a dark ring.

The distribution area of ​​the Vesperratte stretches from southern Mexico to Panama - however, the species is absent on the Yucatán peninsula . Their habitat are forests, where they stay almost exclusively on the trees and hardly ever come to the ground. The hind feet are adapted to this way of life. The animals build nests out of branches and should only be active at night. Their diet consists of seeds, fruits and other plant material.

After a gestation period of 30 to 38 days, the female gives birth to an average of two young. It has been observed that an animal had five litters within seven months, and reproduction should occur year-round. The maximum age of an animal in human care was five years.

Little is known about the degree of risk. The IUCN lists them as not endangered.

The closest relative of the Vesperratte is the Yucatán Vesperratte , otherwise it is largely isolated in the New World mouse system. It is classified in the subfamily of the Tylomyinae , but this is uncertain.

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