What rodent with a stripe on its back, resembling a mouse, is it? - briefly
«Striped mouse» (Apodemus agrarius) is a small rodent distinguished by a dark dorsal stripe and a mouse‑like body shape. It occupies grasslands and cultivated fields throughout Eurasia.
What rodent with a stripe on its back, resembling a mouse, is it? - in detail
The animal in question is the striped field mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio), a small African rodent distinguished by a dark longitudinal stripe running along the centre of its back. Adult individuals measure 70–100 mm in head‑body length, with a tail roughly equal in length. The dorsal stripe contrasts sharply with the surrounding reddish‑brown fur, giving the species its common name.
Taxonomically, the striped field mouse belongs to the family Muridae, subfamily Murinae. It is the sole extant species of the genus Rhabdomys, although several subspecies are recognised across its range. The species is native to sub‑Saharan Africa, occurring from South Africa through Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya and into Ethiopia. It inhabits a variety of open habitats, including savannas, grasslands, agricultural fields and disturbed areas near human settlements.
Key biological traits include:
- Nocturnal activity patterns; foraging primarily at night and resting in burrows or dense vegetation during daylight.
- Omnivorous diet comprising seeds, grasses, insects and occasional fruit; food is cached in shallow underground chambers.
- Social structure characterised by small family groups, with a dominant breeding pair and subordinate offspring that assist in pup care.
- Breeding season generally coincides with the rainy period; litters contain 3–7 young after an incubation of approximately 21 days.
- High reproductive rate and rapid maturation enable quick population expansion in favourable conditions.
Predators such as snakes, raptors and small carnivores exert significant pressure, while the species’ agility and ability to squeeze through narrow openings provide effective escape mechanisms. Parasites recorded include ectoparasitic mites and endoparasitic nematodes, which can affect health in dense populations.
Conservation assessments list the striped field mouse as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, reflecting its broad distribution and adaptability to altered landscapes. Localised threats involve habitat conversion to intensive agriculture and pesticide exposure, which may reduce prey availability and increase mortality.
Research on Rhabdomys has contributed to understanding rodent ecology, population dynamics and disease transmission, particularly because the species can serve as a reservoir for pathogens such as hantaviruses. Ongoing monitoring of population trends and habitat quality remains essential to detect potential declines.