What is the name of a mouse with long hind legs? - briefly
The rodent known for its unusually long hind limbs is the jerboa, a desert‑adapted species distinguished by its powerful, elongated back legs. North American relatives, such as the kangaroo mouse, exhibit a comparable morphology.
What is the name of a mouse with long hind legs? - in detail
The rodent distinguished by exceptionally elongated hind limbs is commonly referred to as a jumping mouse. It belongs to the family Zapodidae, which includes several genera such as Zapus (North American jumping mice) and Napaeozapus (Asian jumping mice). These species exhibit a musculoskeletal structure that enables powerful leaps, a trait reflected in their name.
Key characteristics:
- Hind‑leg length exceeds fore‑leg length by 30‑50 %, providing a lever for rapid propulsion.
- Tail often longer than body, serving as a counterbalance during jumps.
- Large, well‑developed auditory bullae that enhance hearing of predators while the animal is in motion.
- Habitat preference for moist grasslands, forest edges, and alpine meadows where dense vegetation offers cover.
Representative species:
- Northern jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius) – widespread in Canada and the northern United States; nocturnal, diet of seeds and insects.
- Western jumping mouse (Zapus princeps) – inhabits western North America; noted for longer hind limbs relative to body size.
- Kangaroo mouse (Microdipodops spp.) – desert‑adapted, with hind legs proportionally similar to those of jumping mice but with a more compact body; capable of bounding up to 1.5 m in a single leap.
Evolutionary adaptation: elongated hind limbs evolved to escape predators and navigate complex ground cover efficiently. Muscle fiber composition favors fast‑twitch fibers, supporting explosive bursts of speed rather than sustained running.
In summary, the term “jumping mouse” accurately describes any mouse‑like rodent possessing markedly long hind legs, a feature that defines its taxonomy, morphology, and ecological niche.