What kind of mouse has a brown coat with a black stripe on its back? - briefly
The brown mouse with a black dorsal stripe is the striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius).
What kind of mouse has a brown coat with a black stripe on its back? - in detail
The animal that displays a brown pelage crossed by a single black stripe along the mid‑line of its back is the striped mouse, Rhabdomys pumilio. It belongs to the family Muridae and is often referred to as the striped field mouse.
The species is native to sub‑Saharan Africa, ranging from South Africa through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and into eastern Kenya. It prefers open habitats such as savannas, grasslands, agricultural fields, and the edges of woodlands where dense ground cover is present.
Key identifying characteristics:
- Dorsal coloration: brown to reddish‑brown fur with a prominent, sharply defined black stripe extending from the nape to the base of the tail.
- Ventral side: lighter gray‑white underparts lacking any striping.
- Tail: relatively long, dark with a faint tuft of hair.
- Ears: moderately sized, covered with fine hair.
- Size: head‑body length 80–115 mm; tail length 80–130 mm; weight 20–45 g.
Behavioral notes:
- Primarily diurnal; active during early morning and late afternoon.
- Omnivorous diet: seeds, grasses, insects, and occasional fruit.
- Constructs shallow burrows or uses existing crevices for nesting.
- Breeding season peaks in the rainy months; litters average 4–6 young.
Distinguishing from similar rodents:
- The common house mouse (Mus musculus) lacks a dorsal stripe and has gray‑brown fur.
- The yellow‑necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) shows a yellowish neck patch but no continuous black stripe.
- The African pygmy mouse (Mus minutoides) is much smaller and lacks any dorsal marking.
For field identification, observe the contrast between the dark central line and the surrounding brown fur, confirm the absence of a neck band, and note the habitat type. These traits together reliably indicate the presence of Rhabdomys pumilio.