Rosevear’s striped grass mouse
- Lemniscomys roseveari
- IUCN Status: Data Deficient
- Trend: uncomfirmed
General Information
The Rosevear’s striped grass mouse (Lemniscomys roseveari) is a near-endemic small rodent found in Zambia and possibly Angola. It is named after Dr. Donovan Rosevear, a British mammalogist who first described the species in 1980.
Description
The Rosevear’s striped grass mouse is a small rodent that has a body length of about 10 cm and a tail length of about 15 cm. Its fur is brown or gray on the back and sides, and white on the belly. It has a dark stripe running down its back and two light stripes on its sides. Its tail is long and hairy, with a dark tip.
Fun Facts
Rosevear’s striped grass mice are very social animals. They live in groups of up to 10 individuals. These groups are led by a dominant male and female. Rosevear’s striped grass mice cooperate with each other to find food, raise their young, and defend themselves from predators.
They are also excellent climbers. They have sharp claws and a long tail that helps them to balance. This allows them to climb trees and shrubs to find food and to escape predators.
Ecology & Behaviour
Rosevear’s striped grass mice are nocturnal animals and spend most of their time foraging for food. They eat a variety of plants and insects. They are social animals and live in groups of up to 10 individuals. They are also good swimmers and can often be found near water. It is an important part of the ecosystem in Zambia, helping to control insect populations and dispersing seeds.
Distribution & Habitat
It is found in a variety of habitats, including forests, woodlands, and savannas.
Diet
Rosevear’s striped grass mice are nocturnal animals and spend most of their time foraging for food. They eat a variety of plants and insects. They are social animals and live in groups of up to 10 individuals. They are also good swimmers and can often be found near water. It is an important part of the ecosystem in Zambia, helping to control insect populations and dispersing seeds.
Reproduction
Rosevear’s striped grass mice are nocturnal animals and spend most of their time foraging for food. They eat a variety of plants and insects. They are social animals and live in groups of up to 10 individuals. They are also good swimmers and can often be found near water. It is an important part of the ecosystem in Zambia, helping to control insect populations and dispersing seeds.
Conservation
Rosevear’s striped grass mice are not considered to be threatened, but their populations are declining in some areas due to habitat loss and fragmentation.
References
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- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Rodentia
- Family: Muridae
- Genus: Lemniscomys
- Length: avg. 10 cm
- Tail Length: avg. 15 cm
