The spectacled dormouse or ''namtap'' (''Graphiurus ocularis'') is a species of

rodent Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the Order (biology), 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 roden ...

in the family Gliridae, and one of four dormouse species

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found els ...

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring count ...

. It has a bushy, squirrel-like tail, a fairly short muzzle, small ears and soft fur. Its face is marked with white and grey, with dark rings (spectacles) around its eyes. Its cheeks, underparts and the upper surfaces of its paws are white. Its tail is also usually tipped with white. Its distribution is restricted to the Cederberg in western South Africa, and it is associated with rocky habitats, as well as trees and outbuildings. It is

nocturnal Nocturnality is an ethology, animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnality, diurnal meaning the opposite. Nocturnal creatures generally have ...

and an agile climber. Its diet consists primarily of seeds, other plant material and invertebrates. They have been remarked to eat certain types of scorpions as well and will kill other mice or smaller rat species in their territory.

References

*Stuart C. & Stuart T. 2001
Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa
p. 92. Struik Publishers, Cape Town. * Coetzee, N., Griffin, M. & Grubb, P. 2004.
Graphiurus ocularis

2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Downloaded on 29 July 2007. *Holden, M. E.. 2005. Family Gliridae. pp. 819–841 ''in'' Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore. Endemic fauna of South Africa Graphiurus Mammals of South Africa Mammals described in 1829 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{rodent-stub