Mozambique thicket rat

The Mozambique -Busch mouse ( Grammomys cometes ) is a species of acacia mice, a counted among the Altweltmäusen genus of long-tailed mice. It is native to Southeast Africa.

Size and appearance

The Mozambique -Busch mouse reaches a head-body length of about 12 cm, to measure the tail about 18 cm. With these dimensions, the Mozambique -Busch mouse is one of the larger species of the genus.

The body top is mostly grayish- brown where it comes within the species to variations in coat color. So there are also yellowish or completely gray colored animals. The bottom of the feet and parts of the front part of the face are white.

Distribution and habitat

The Mozambique -Busch mouse is found in parts of Southeast Africa. They are found in the extreme north- east of South Africa, in eastern Zimbabwe, as well as in parts of Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique as well as possibly in Swaziland.

It is native mainly in forest areas and adjoining high grassland steppe, also near waters. The Mozambique -Busch mouse is arboreal ( tree -dwelling ) and a skilled climber.

Behavior and reproductive

The species is a nocturnal herbivore of its nests out of plant material in tree holes or crotches, in urban areas in buildings, builds. The mating season takes place during the summer months. Every year, the females can give birth up to three times 2-5 pups. The boys, which weigh about 4 grams at birth are altricial and also suck on the approximately 19 -day lactation addition to the teats of the mother.

Endangering

The IUCN has thus " not endangered" the Mozambique bush mouse as "least concern".

Swell

• Gus Mills, Lex Hes: Mammals of Southern Africa. An illustrated encyclopedia. Könmann, Cologne 1999, ISBN 3-8290-3610-8.
• IUCN Grammomys cometes.
• Guy G. Musser, Michael D. Carleton: Super Muroidea. In: Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder (eds): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic reference. 2 vols. 3rd edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4, pp. 894-1531.

Weblink

• Grammomys cometes in the Red List of Threatened Species IUCN 2013.2. Posted by: Taylor, PJ, 2008, Retrieved on 31 December 2013.

• Long-tailed mice