White-toothed bush rat
| White-toothed bush rat | ||||||||||||
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| Neotoma leucodon | ||||||||||||
| Merriam , 1894 |
The white-toothed bush rat ( Neotoma leucodon ) is a rodent in the genus of the American bush rat . For a long time it was listed as a subspecies of the white-throated bush rat ( Neotoma albigula ). In 2001 it was raised to the rank of a species.
features
The external appearance of the white-toothed bush rat corresponds to the white-throated bush rat. The division into two types is based mainly on genetic differences and on the geographical separation east and west of the Rio Grande and the Río Conchos . The white-tooth bush rat reaches a total length of 283 to 400 mm and a weight of 135 to 283 g. Males are generally heavier than females. The fur is predominantly gray-brown in color with orange-brown shades. Populations that live on volcanoes are mostly darker. The hair on the throat has a white base, which makes this area appear lighter. Furthermore, the tops of the hands and feet are covered with white fur. Short hairs appear on the two-tone tail.
Distribution and habitat
The distribution area of the species lies west of the Rio Grande and the Río Conchos and extends from central Mexico to the south of Colorado ( USA ). The white-toothed bush rat can be found in mixed forests , in bushland and in rocky regions with cacti .
Way of life
Like most other American bush rats, the species builds dwellings out of branches, bark, other plant parts and found litter. The structure has a diameter of 4 meters and a height of 1 meter for individual specimens. While foraging for food, the white-toothed bush rat usually stays on the ground, but it can climb in the lower areas of the vegetation. The species prefers regions in which opuntia , palm lilies and mimosa plants of the genus Prosopis are common.
Between early spring and late summer, females have one or more litters. After a gestation of about 38 days, 2 or 3 cubs are born. These begin after about 17 days with solid food and after 27 to 40 days the weaning occurs. Sexual maturity occurs after 80 to 100 days.
status
The species is hunted for its meat in the Mexican states of San Luis Potosí and Zacatecas . According to the IUCN, the entire population is not considered to be at risk ( least concern ).
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 leucodon ).
- ↑ a b c Neotoma leucodon in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2008. Posted by: Timm, R., Álvarez-Castañeda, ST & Lacher, T., 2008. Accessed September 27, 2016th
- ↑ a b c White-toothed 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, accessed September 27, 2016.
- ↑ a b c Gerardo Ceballos: Mammals of Mexico . JHU Press, Baltimore 2014, ISBN 978-1-4214-0843-9 , pp. 308-309 ( White-toothed woodrat ).
