Short-tailed gymnure
Hylomys suillus
Hylomys suillus is a kind of little rats hedgehogs within the hedgehog ( Erinaceidae ), which is native to East and Southeast Asia. The animals live mainly in moist mountain forests and feed on insects and other invertebrates. A threat to the species is not, one assumes instead that it is very adaptable to changes in the habitat.
Features
Hylomys suillus reaches a head-body length of 12-15 cm and a tail length of about 1.9 centimeters. The rear feet have a length of 23 to 25 millimeters. The body is similar to rats, but a bit stockier and the muzzle is pointed. The coat is dark and reddish black in color usually, the ventral side is much brighter. On the back there fine black lines can be located. Compared to the closely related Hainan rats hedgehogs, one endemic species of Hainan island, the way how all the little rats hedgehogs a very short tail. Even within the genus Hylomys the tail with 10 to 15% of the body length is shorter than in the other species. The ears are also relatively short at around 10 % of the body length. As with all small rats hedgehogs the muzzle is extended and flexible and is used to search the ground for food. Externally similar to the way a small rodent.
The bite is on the upper side and lower side of each three - blade, a corner, four premilling and three molar teeth per jaw half, a total of 44 teeth.
Dissemination
Hylomys suillus is the most widespread species of the little rats hedgehogs, its circulation area covers large parts of Southeast Asia. It ranges from southeastern Yunnan Province in the People's Republic of China on the east and south by Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, the northern Cambodia and the largest part of Thailand to the mainland part of Malaysia. It also includes parts of the islands of Tioman, Sumatra, Java and Borneo.
The species is often found in the mountains and could be detected on the Asian mainland in heights from 90 to over 1700 meters ( Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia ). In Sumatra the species was documented in more than 3000 meters above sea level.
Way of life
Over the life of Hylomys suillus little is known. Its habitat is moist mountain and mountain forests with dense undergrowth and ground support in tropical and subtropical regions. In Laos, he, however, were also detected in degraded scrub land, so it is assumed that it can be relatively well adapted to human- altered habitats. The animals usually stay on the ground, but can climb as figs or Melastoma species in thickets in search of fruits and berries. The main food is, however, primarily of insects, snails and worms that are captured on the ground. The animals build paths in the undergrowth and Build from plant material in burrows or under stones.
The propagation time and the number of pups is likely to vary depending on the region and altitude. Been reported from two to six pups per litter. The lifespan is typically a maximum of two years.
System
Hylomys suillus is assigned as an independent species the little rats hedgehogs ( Hylomys ) within the hedgehog ( Erinaceidae ). A total of seven subspecies are recognized, see in addition to the nominate form H. suillus these are H. s maxi, H. see dorsalis, H. see siamensis, H. see peguensis, H. and H. s microtinus see tionis. On the basis of molecular biological studies, however, could see H. siamensis, H. s maxi and H. dorsalis see also represent separate species.
The type is determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN ) due to the very large distribution area as not at risk ( least concern ) listed. It is a widespread and common in parts of their range kind, serious threats to the stock are not known.