Painted spiny pocket mouse
Painted spiny pocket mouse | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Rodentia |
Family: | Heteromyidae |
Genus: | Heteromys |
Species: | H. pictus
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Binomial name | |
Heteromys pictus Thomas, 1893
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The painted spiny pocket mouse (Heteromys pictus) is a species of
Description
The painted spiny pocket mouse is a medium-sized species and grows to a head and body length of about 12 cm (4.7 in) with a tail as long again, males being slightly larger than females. The
Distribution and habitat
The painted spiny pocket mouse is found in Mexico and Guatemala at altitudes of up to 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). Its range includes western Mexico, from the state of Sonora southwards to the state of Chiapas, the eastern Mexican state of Veracruz, and the extreme northwestern corner of Guatemala. Its typical habitat is dry deciduous woodland or bushy scrubland and it occurs near streams in otherwise arid regions, often in places with cactus and acacia.[1] In regions where their ranges overlap, it occurs in moister, lower habitats than the Mexican spiny pocket mouse (Heteromys irroratus).[5]
Behavior
The painted spiny pocket mouse is nocturnal and solitary, with individuals just coming together for breeding. It lives in a burrow and engages in such activities as sand bathing, collecting seeds in its cheek pouches, caching food, scratching and caring for its coat. The diet mainly consists of seeds (large ones being preferred), green vegetation and small invertebrates such as spiders, moths, crickets and beetles.[4]
Breeding takes place throughout most of the year, though few pregnant females were recorded between December and February and male mice had smaller testicles during that period. Litter sizes range from two to six and the average gestation period is 25 days. The litter may stay together for one to two months but separates when there is a high level of aggression among the littermates.[4]
Status
The painted spiny pocket mouse has a wide range and is common in parts of that range. The