Marsh Mouse
Encyclopedia
The tawny deermouse, or marsh mouse, (Peromyscus perfulvus) is a species of rodent
in the family Cricetidae
. It is found only in Mexico
.
in the north, along the coast to the northernmost parts of Guerrero
in the south, and also inland in Michoacan
and the west of the State of Mexico. It inhabits tropical deciduous forest and other dense vegetation below 1300 metres (4,265.1 ft) altitude. As its alternative common name of "marsh mouse" implies, it is generally found in wet habitats, such as near lakes, streams, or man-made irrigation, and it has also been reported from tropical fruit orchards and sugar cane plantations.
Two subspecies are recognised:
, feeding on seeds, fruit, and insects. They construct spherical nests from grasses and other plant material, concealing them in trees or amongst dense undergrowth, and rarely travel far from their home, ranging over an area of no more than about 70 metres (229.7 ft) across. While population densities vary throughout the year, depending on the local environment, they are typically no higher than about 15 /ha. Known predators include the ocelot
.
Breeding occurs throughout the year, with females giving birth to up to four young after a gestation
period of between 39 and 46 days. At birth, the young are hairless and blind, weighing just 2 to 3 g (0.0705479242102239 to 0.105821886315336 ). They are weaned
at about 25 days, and reach full adult size after about six or seven weeks.
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
in the family Cricetidae
Cricetidae
The Cricetidae are a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. It includes true hamsters, voles, lemmings, and New World rats and mice...
. It is found only in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
Characteristics
The tawny deermouse has a typical mouse-like form, with a long hairy tail. It has reddish cinnamon fur over most of the body, and pale creamy underparts. The face is greyish with a slight ring of darker fur around the eyes, and the tail is sepia-brown in colour. It can be distinguished from its closest relatives by the length of the tail and by the presence of brownish fur on parts of the hind feet, which are pure white in other species. It ranges from 10 to 12 cm (3.9 to 4.7 ) in head-body length, with a 10 to 14 cm (3.9 to 5.5 ) tail. Adults weigh between 30 and 42 g (1.1 and 1.5 ).Distribution and habitat
The tawny deermouse is native only to a small region in western central Mexico. It is found from JaliscoJalisco
Jalisco officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Jalisco is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is located in Western Mexico and divided in 125 municipalities and its capital city is Guadalajara.It is one of the more important states...
in the north, along the coast to the northernmost parts of Guerrero
Guerrero
Guerrero officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Guerrero is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 81 municipalities and its capital city is Chilpancingo....
in the south, and also inland in Michoacan
Michoacán
Michoacán officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Michoacán de Ocampo is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 113 municipalities and its capital city is Morelia...
and the west of the State of Mexico. It inhabits tropical deciduous forest and other dense vegetation below 1300 metres (4,265.1 ft) altitude. As its alternative common name of "marsh mouse" implies, it is generally found in wet habitats, such as near lakes, streams, or man-made irrigation, and it has also been reported from tropical fruit orchards and sugar cane plantations.
Two subspecies are recognised:
- Peromyscus perfulvus perfulvus - Michoacan, State of Mexico, Guerrero
- Peromyscus perfulvus chrysopus - Jalisco, ColimaColimaColima is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, make up the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It shares its name with its capital and main city, Colima....
Biology
The tawny deermouse is nocturnal and solitary, and spends much of its time in trees, although it also travels along the ground. They are omnivorousOmnivore
Omnivores are species that eat both plants and animals as their primary food source...
, feeding on seeds, fruit, and insects. They construct spherical nests from grasses and other plant material, concealing them in trees or amongst dense undergrowth, and rarely travel far from their home, ranging over an area of no more than about 70 metres (229.7 ft) across. While population densities vary throughout the year, depending on the local environment, they are typically no higher than about 15 /ha. Known predators include the ocelot
Ocelot
The ocelot , pronounced /ˈɒsəˌlɒt/, also known as the dwarf leopard or McKenney's wildcat is a wild cat distributed over South and Central America and Mexico, but has been reported as far north as Texas and in Trinidad, in the Caribbean...
.
Breeding occurs throughout the year, with females giving birth to up to four young after a gestation
Gestation
Gestation is the carrying of an embryo or fetus inside a female viviparous animal. Mammals during pregnancy can have one or more gestations at the same time ....
period of between 39 and 46 days. At birth, the young are hairless and blind, weighing just 2 to 3 g (0.0705479242102239 to 0.105821886315336 ). They are weaned
Weaning
Weaning is the process of gradually introducing a mammal infant, either human or animal, to what will be its adult diet and withdrawing the supply of its mother's milk.The process takes place only in mammals, as only mammals produce milk...
at about 25 days, and reach full adult size after about six or seven weeks.