Rudd's Mouse

Taxobox | name = Rudd's Mouse
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1
trend = unknown
fossil_range = Recent
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Rodentia
familia = Muridae
subfamilia = Deomyinae
genus = "Uranomys"
genus_authority = Dollman, 1909
species = "U. ruddi"
binomial = "Uranomys ruddi"
binomial_authority = Dollman, 1909The Rudd's Mouse or the White-bellied Brush-furred Rat, "Uranomys ruddi", is the only member of the genus "Uranomys". This animal is closely related to the spiny mice, brush-furred mice, and the Link Rat.

Description

Head and body range from 8.4-13.4 cm. Tail length is 5.3-7.9 cm. Weight is 41-53 g. The hairs on the back of this species are stiff like the brush-furred mice, but not spiny as in "Acomys". The belly is white and feet are covered in white hairs. Incisors project anteriorly.

Natural History

The animal is known across a wide range in Africa, but is never common. They are usually taken in savannah habitat. Rudd's Mouse is thought to be nocturnal. It feeds predominantly on insects.

References

* Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is of least concern
*Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, Vol. 2. Johns Hopkins University Press, London.