The southern pygmy mouse (''Baiomys musculus'') is a species of

rodent Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the order Rodentia (), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal species are rodents. They are na ...

in the family

Cricetidae The Cricetidae are a family of rodents in the large and complex superfamily Muroidea. It includes true hamsters, voles, lemmings, muskrats, and New World rats and mice. At almost 608 species, it is the second-largest family of mammals, and has m ...

. It is found in

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, and

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Habitat

Coastal animals are larger on average. They prefer open canopy areas with grasses and less dead wood or bare ground. In general they are found in open areas with thick low vegetation. They are also found in rocky areas.

Description

The outer coat of the southern pygmy mouse varies from a reddish brown to almost black. The under belly is lighter in tone than the back ranging from pinkish buff to white. Juveniles are born with a gray coat that slowly turns brown as they mature. Uncharacteristically of other members in the family Cricetidae they have 14 cheek teeth instead of 12.

Reproduction

Breeding occurs year-round but rates are not constant throughout the year. During the winter and spring there are fewer litters born. Individuals living in grassy areas dig burrows for nesting while others in rocky areas live under rocks. Synonyms: *''Baiomys brunneus'' (J. A. Allen and Chapman, 1897) *''Baiomys nigrescens'' (Osgood, 1904) *''Baiomys grisescens'' (Goldman, 1932) *''Baiomys infernatis'' (Hooper, 1952) *''Baiomys pallidus'' (Russell, 1952) *''Baiomys handleyi'' (Packard, 1958) *''Baiomys pullus'' (Packard, 1958) *''Baiomys nebulosus'' (Goodwin, 1959)

References

* Baillie, J. 1996.
Baiomys musculus

2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Downloaded on 19 July 2007. *Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. pp. 894–1531 ''in'' Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. Baiomys Mammals described in 1892 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Taxa named by Clinton Hart Merriam {{Cricetidae-stub