What is the mouse with a single stripe on its back? - briefly
It is the African striped mouse (Hybomys univittatus), a small rodent identified by a solitary dorsal stripe. The species lives in the tropical forests of Central and West Africa.
What is the mouse with a single stripe on its back? - in detail
The rodent distinguished by a solitary dorsal stripe is the African striped mouse (Rhabdomys spp.), most commonly Rhabdomys pumilio. It belongs to the family Muridae, subfamily Murinae, and is the sole member of its genus that exhibits a prominent longitudinal stripe running from the neck to the base of the tail.
Physical characteristics include a head‑body length of 70–110 mm, a tail slightly longer than the body, and a weight ranging from 15 to 35 g. The dorsal stripe consists of dark, often black, hair contrasting with a lighter brown or gray flank and ventral pelage. Ears are relatively large, eyes prominent, and whiskers well‑developed, adaptations suited for nocturnal foraging.
Geographic distribution covers southern and eastern Africa, extending from South Africa through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Tanzania. Preferred habitats are savannas, grasslands, and agricultural fields where dense ground cover provides protection from predators.
Key ecological aspects:
- Diet: Omnivorous; consumes seeds, grains, insects, and occasional plant material. Seasonal shifts favor insects during the wet season and seeds in the dry season.
- Activity pattern: Primarily nocturnal; exhibits crepuscular foraging peaks. Constructs shallow burrows or utilizes abandoned rodent tunnels.
- Reproduction: Breeding occurs year‑round in favorable climates, with litters of 3–7 pups after a gestation of 21–23 days. Females can produce up to five litters annually under optimal conditions.
- Social behavior: Generally solitary or found in small family groups; displays territorial aggression through scent marking and vocalizations.
- Predators: Subject to predation by raptors, snakes, small carnivores, and domestic cats.
Conservation status, as assessed by the IUCN, is Least Concern due to its wide range and adaptability to human‑altered landscapes. However, localized threats include habitat fragmentation, pesticide exposure, and competition with introduced rodent species.
Research relevance: Serves as a model for studying ecological adaptation, population dynamics, and disease transmission, particularly hantavirus and plague vectors in Africa.