Long-clawed mole vole
The Prometheus - Mouse ( Prometheomys schaposchnikowi ) is a mammal of the subfamily of voles ( Arvicolinae ). The genus is monotypic Prometheomys with the Prometheus -Mouse is the only kind, the Prometheus -Mouse is endemic to the Caucasus region they inhabited in several geographically isolated from one another ( disjoint ) sub- areas. The animals live exclusively underground in open areas with dense ground vegetation. The Prometheus -Mouse is run by the IUCN as a kind of early warning ( " near threatened ").
Features
The Prometheus mouse is quite a large vole with adaptation to the subterranean grave lifestyle very small eyes, hidden almost in the fur ears and very long claws on the forefeet. The head-body length is 115-180 mm, tail length 36-60 mm, the length of the hind foot 20-25 mm and the length of ear 10-15 mm. The animals weighing 56-88 g The coat is reddish brown on the top, on the bottom pink cinnamon with barely pronounced dividing line between upper and lower sides. The tail is uniformly brown hairs, the tip is often white.
Distribution and habitat
The species is endemic to the Caucasus region; the distribution area includes several geographically isolated from one another ( disjoint ) sub- areas in Georgia, the Russian Federation and in the extreme north-eastern Turkey. The animals inhabit mainly nutrient-rich meadows on mountain slopes with long snow cover, but also occur on forest meadows and cultivated land. You need grave productive land. The Prometheus mouse occurs in 1500-2800 m altitude.
Way of life
The animals live mainly underground in loose colonies that can cover an area of 200 to 500 m². You create branched underground networks, which nests consist of dry grass and are up to one meter below the surface. The earth is dissolved while digging with the long front claws and then transported to the entrances to the building to the earth's surface and accumulated there. Probably the only vegetable food is under - and overground searched and stored in the aisles in the peripheral region of the colony. For the winter, the animals gather up to 3.5 kg inventories, they hold no true hibernation. The propagation from May to most of August with two litters per season. The litters are relatively small and usually include only three boy.
Inventory and risk
The range of the species is small and, at least in the southern part of the site collection development is due to habitat destruction probably decline. The Prometheus mouse is out of the IUCN therefore as a sort of early warning ( " near threatened ").