Gray-bellied pygmy mouse
The Triton mouse, or human African Graubäuchige harvest mouse (Mus triton ) is one among the Altweltmäusen ( Murinae ) counted small species of long-tailed mice ( Muridae ).
Appearance
The Triton mouse reaches a head-body length of up to 63 mm, the tail also measures about 50 mm with a total weight of 8 to 12 grams. The ventral side of the mouse Triton is monochromatic gray, marked the top in various shades of brown dunkelen irregular. The tail is dark brown at the base, partially colored irregular white in the further course brighter. The feet of the hind limbs have a significantly lighter brown color than the forelimbs, and also show some white areas.
Can the Triton mouse of closely related species with which it shares the habitat that differ from the gray underparts.
Distribution and habitat
The Triton mouse is found in large parts of Central East and partly South Africa. Its distribution area covers Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, Burundi, Angola and Uganda, making it one of the highest among the African dwarf mice.
It prefers moist habitats from grasslands to swamps. Besides, she ventures in mountainous regions. In these areas, specimens were also found in forests, while forest areas are otherwise shunned.
Behavior and reproductive
The Triton mouse is preferred nocturnal omnivorous and feeds on vegetable matter and insects, the proportion of animal food predominates.
The observed in Malawi Triton mice mate from April to July. The females give birth to up to 6 pups. Birth weight is approximately 1.3 grams.
Endangering
The Triton mouse is classified by the IUCN as endangered not ( "Least Concern" ).
Swell
- Gus Mills, Lex Hes: Mammals of Southern Africa. An illustrated encyclopedia. Könemann, Cologne 1999, ISBN 3-8290-3610-8.
- 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. Volume 2 3rd Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4, pp. 894-1531.