Juscelinomys

The Mole Mice ( Juscelinomys ) are a living in South America rodent genus from the group of New world with three species. The genus is named in honor of Juscelino Kubitschek, since he founded the city of Brasília, the first specimens were found.

These animals are probably adapted to the long claws on the front paws of a grave lifestyle. Their fur is reddish - brown or brownish, the tail is relatively thick and hairy. The skull is massive, the snout short.

These rodents live in the central Brazil and eastern Bolivia. Their habitat are predominantly wooded savannas. They live in underground nests that are equipped with grasses and feed on plants and insects.

There are three living species:

• Juscelinomys Candango was discovered in the Parco Zoobotanico in the city of Brasília and is expected to inhabit the central Brazil.
• Juscelinomys guaporensis is only known from one specimen, which was found in Noel Kempff Mercado National Park in eastern Bolivia and first described in 1999. It is the smallest of the three types.
• Juscelinomys huanchacae is also known only through a copy of the Noel Kempff Mercado National Park. The species is the largest of the three.

Another way Juscelinomys talpinus is known only by fossil remains from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. It is conceivable that the species is still alive, but was not discovered.