What does a gray-backed mouse look like? - briefly
«Gray-backed mouse» exhibits a sleek body about 8‑10 cm long, dorsal fur uniformly slate‑gray with a subtle bluish sheen, while the ventral side is paler, often whitish‑gray. The tail is proportionally long, covered in fine, sparsely haired gray scales, and the ears are small, rounded, and match the overall muted coloration.
What does a gray-backed mouse look like? - in detail
The gray‑backed mouse is a small rodent measuring 7–10 cm in head‑body length, with a tail nearly equal to or slightly longer than the body. The dorsal fur presents a uniform slate‑gray hue, the color deepening toward the mid‑back where a subtle, slightly darker stripe may be discernible. Ventral hair is creamy‑white, gradually blending into the side patches that retain a pale gray tone.
Key morphological features include:
- Ears: proportionally large, rounded, covered with fine, translucent hair; coloration matches the dorsal gray.
- Eyes: dark, relatively large, providing a broad field of vision.
- Whiskers: long, stiff, extending well beyond the snout, aiding tactile navigation.
- Tail: scaly, hairless or sparsely haired, displaying alternating dark and light bands that correspond to underlying vertebrae.
The fur texture is soft yet dense, offering insulation against cool environments. The skull is compact, with a pointed snout and well‑developed incisor teeth adapted for gnawing seeds and insects. The species’ scientific designation is often cited as «Apodemus sylvaticus», reflecting its classification within the Muridae family.