Tien Shan birch mouse
| Tien Shan birch mouse | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Sminthidae |
| Genus: | Sicista |
| Species: | S. tianshanica
|
| Binomial name | |
| Sicista tianshanica (Salensky, 1903)
| |
The Tien Shan birch mouse (Sicista tianshanica) is a species of rodent in the family Sminthidae. It is found in China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.
Description
The Tien Shan birch mouse grows to a length of about 70 mm (2.8 in) with a tail length of about one and a half times its body length. The dorsal fur is a uniform yellowish-grey and there is no vertebral stripe as there is in the long-tailed birch mouse (Sicista caudata). The flanks are straw-coloured, the chin and throat are white and the underparts whitish-grey tinged with buff. The back of the skull is longer than that of the southern birch mouse (Sicista subtilis).[2]
Distribution and habitat
The Tien Shan birch mouse is native to China, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan. Its typical habitat is piedmont plains, mountain forests, alpine meadows and forest borders.[1]
Behaviour
The Tien Shan birch mouse does not have the specialised limbs of the
Status
The Tien Shan birch mouse has a wide range and is locally abundant, though its population fluctuates considerably. No specific threats have been identified and there are several protected areas within its distribution range, so the
References
- ^ . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-691-09984-2.
- Holden, M.E.; OCLC 62265494.