Chaetodipus

Chaetodipus baileyi

Wire haired pocket mice ( Chaetodipus ) are a genus of pocket mice with about 15 species occurring mainly in the southern U.S. and Mexico.

Features

The species reach a head-body length of 8 to 13 cm and a tail length of 7.5 to 15 cm. The weight varies between 15 and 50 g As the German common name suggests, the hair is more like bristles and not as soft as the silk pocket mice ( Perognathus ), which form wire-haired pocket mice subfamily. On the back and on the sides of the coat has a gray to yellow- brown color, the belly is whitish. In contrast to the silk pocket mice, the soles of the hind feet are not hairy.

Way of life

These rodents will stay in different, rather dry habitats such as stony hills or mountains, semi-deserts and grass and bush land. Just like silk pocket mice, they do not hibernate, but in cold weather they sometimes fall into hunger Rigid ( torpor ). The diet consists of seeds and other plant parts that are accumulated in construction to inventories.

Each copy digging his own tunnel system, which defends against conspecifics. In many species, mating in the spring takes place, but in warm climates throughout the year females can have several litters. The gestation period is 23 to 24 days and then be a born to eight pups (usually four). These begin after 3.5 weeks of solid food. The oldest animal in captivity reached the age of 8 years and 4 months.

Systematics and status

Wilson & Reeder (2005) and the IUCN lists 17 species in the genus.

  • Chaetodipus arenarius, Baja California.
  • Chaetodipus artus, EAST SOUTH CENTRAL Mexico.
  • Chaetodipus baileyi, Northeastern Mexico and Arizona.
  • Chaetodipus californicus, California and northern Baja California.
  • Chaetodipus dalquesti, southern Lower California.
  • Chaetodipus eremicus, north centrales Mexico and southern New Mexico.
  • Chaetodipus fallax, southern California and Baja California.
  • Chaetodipus formosus, Nevada and Utah to northern Baja California.
  • Chaetodipus goldmani, northeastern Mexico.
  • Chaetodipus hispidus, from North Dakota to central Mexico.
  • Chaetodipus intermedius, Arizona, New Mexico and adjacent Mexico.
  • Chaetodipus lineatus, small area in central Mexico.
  • Chaetodipus nelsoni, southern New Mexico to central Mexico.
  • Chaetodipus penicillatus, Southern California, Arizona and northeastern Mexico.
  • Chaetodipus pernix EAST SOUTH CENTRAL Mexico.
  • Chaetodipus rudi noris, Lower California.
  • Chaetodipus spinatus, Lower California.

Most species are not threatened in its portfolio. The IUCN lists Chaetodipus lineatus with sufficient data (Data Deficient ), Chaetodipus dalquesti as threatened ( Vulnerable ) and Chaetodipus goldmani in the early warning ( Near Threatened ).

Reference literature

  • Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 vols. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD, inter alia, 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9.
Euarchontoglires Castorimorpha Clinton Hart Merriam Baja California peninsula Don E. Wilson Mammal Species of the World
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