What is the animal called that looks like a mouse with a short tail? - briefly
The animal is a vole, a small rodent resembling a mouse but characterized by a noticeably short tail.
What is the animal called that looks like a mouse with a short tail? - in detail
The animal that resembles a mouse yet has a markedly short tail is the hamster. Belonging to the family Cricetidae, hamsters are small rodents classified in the subfamily Cricetinae. Over a dozen species exist, including the Syrian (golden) hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), the dwarf Campbell’s hamster (Phodopus campbelli), and the Russian dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus).
Physical traits:
- Body length: 5–18 cm, depending on species.
- Tail: vestigial, typically 1–2 cm, often hidden beneath fur.
- Fur: dense, varies from golden, gray, brown to white.
- Cheeks: expandable pouches for food transport.
Habitat and range:
- Native to arid and semi‑arid regions of Europe, Asia, and parts of the Middle East.
- Occupy burrows, grasslands, and cultivated fields.
- Adaptable to captivity; widely kept as pets worldwide.
Behavioral characteristics:
- Nocturnal activity; heightened sense of smell and hearing.
- Territorial; use scent glands and ultrasonic vocalizations.
- Hoard food in cheek pouches and store it in underground caches.
Reproduction:
- Breeding season varies by species; gestation lasts 16–22 days.
- Litter size ranges from 2 to 12 pups.
- Rapid maturation; sexual maturity reached at 4–6 weeks.
As pets, hamsters require:
- Enclosed cage with solid floor.
- Bedding for burrowing.
- Exercise wheel and chew toys.
- Diet of commercial pellets, fresh vegetables, and occasional protein treats.
The combination of mouse‑like appearance and a stubby, concealed tail distinguishes hamsters from other small rodents such as mice, voles, or gerbils.