What is a mouse with a long snout? - briefly
It is a gerbil, a small rodent distinguished by a markedly elongated muzzle compared with typical mice. The extended snout facilitates foraging and burrowing in its arid environments.
What is a mouse with a long snout? - in detail
A rodent distinguished by an unusually elongated rostrum belongs to the family Muridae, subfamily Deomyinae, and is commonly referred to as the long‑snouted mouse (genus Deomys). The most studied species, Deomys ferugineus, inhabits tropical rainforests of Central Africa.
Morphology
- Head‑body length 80–110 mm; tail roughly equal in length.
- Snout extends 30 % beyond the typical murid proportion, giving a pointed profile.
- Fur dense, gray‑brown dorsally, lighter ventrally; whiskers long and stiff.
- Dental formula 1.0.0.3/1.0.0.3, incisors procumbent for gnawing.
Habitat and distribution
- Lowland primary forest floor, often near streams.
- Elevations up to 800 m.
- Range includes Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Behavior and ecology
- Primarily nocturnal; forages on the forest floor.
- Diet consists of insects, seeds, and soft fruit; elongated snout facilitates probing leaf litter for concealed prey.
- Constructs shallow burrows with a single entrance; nests composed of dry leaves and grasses.
- Exhibits solitary or loosely paired activity; territorial marking via scent glands near the cheeks.
Reproduction
- Breeding peaks during the rainy season (April–October).
- Litter size averages 3–5 pups; gestation approximately 22 days.
- Young are altricial, weaned after three weeks, reach sexual maturity at three months.
Conservation status
- Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN due to a wide distribution and presumed large population.
- Threats include deforestation and habitat fragmentation; localized declines reported where logging is intensive.
Research significance