Eligmodontia

The highland desert mice ( Eligmodontia ) are a living in South America rodent genus from the group of New world. They include five species.

These animals are relatively small, mouse -like animals with long tails and big ears. They reach a body length from 7 to 11 centimeters and a tail length from 5 to 11 centimeters. The weight is 7 to 31 grams. The long, soft fur is yellow-brown on the top, bottom (sometimes just the throat and chest ) is white. The tail is hairy, the hind legs are extended and bear hairy balls on the soles.

They inhabit dry grasslands and rocky areas and come in heights up to 4575 meters in front. Their range extends from southern Peru through Bolivia into southern Chile and Argentina.

They are nocturnal and do not create their own burrows, but also include the other animals or natural hiding spots for shelter. Their diet consists of seeds, green plant parts (such as salt plants), but insects.

The mating season extends from October (spring) and April ( autumn). Here, the female can unsubscribe several litters, litter size is two to nine pups.

There are five types:

• Eligmodontia dunaris is in dunes of the Atacama Desert in northern Chile at home
• Eligmodontia moreni inhabited the Andean region of northwestern Argentina.
• Eligmodontia morgani is widespread in southern Argentina and neighboring regions of Chile.
• Eligmodontia puerulus comes from Peru to northern Argentina before.
• Eligmodontia typus lives in Eastern Patagonia.

None of the species are threatened according to IUCN, this information is outdated, however.