Haeromys

The dwarf tree mice ( Haeromys ) are a rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ). The genus includes three species.

General

Dwarf tree mice are among the smallest rodents at all. They reach a body length from 5.6 to 7.6 centimeters, the tail measures 11 to 14 inches. Their fur is soft, it is at the back brown or reddish brown, the belly is white. The ears are small and sparsely hairy, the tail is covered with short hair. The paws are adapted to an arboreal lifestyle, the first toe is opponierbar.

Dwarf tree mice live in Southeast Asia, their range includes the islands of Borneo, Palawan and Sulawesi. Their habitat is forests, keeping mostly to the trees. They build nests in tree hollows round leaves and feed on probably at least partly of seeds.

System

According to Wilson & Reeder (2005 ), the dwarf tree mice of the Micromys group within the Altweltmäuse. Lecompte et al. (2008) doubt this arrangement and lead the genus incertae sedis under, that is, with an unclear stand

There are three known types:

• Haeromys margarettae lives in northern Borneo.
• Haeromys minahassae is located in northern and central Sulawesi.
• Haeromys pusillus occurs on Borneo and Palawan.

Main threat for these animals is the destruction of their habitat. The IUCN lists minahassae H. and H. pusillus as " endangered" ( vulnerable ), for H. margarettae no precise data are available.