Country mouse
The country mouse (Pseudomys patrius) also known as the pebble-mound mouse [2] or eastern pebble mound mouse [3] is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found only in Australia. It is considered to be a rare mouse and was first discovered by Thomas and Dollman in 1909.[3]
| Country mouse | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Pseudomys |
| Species: | P. patrius |
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudomys patrius | |
Like other pebble-mound mice, the species is known for building shallow burrows with a mound of pebbles surrounding the entrance. This function is understood to be for protection and dew collection. In Queensland the observed mounds in coastal areas have smaller mounds than in drier habitats, reflecting the need to collect more of the scarcer water.[2] The species also lines the tunnel walls with pebbles both for insulation and protection. A further habit is to plug smaller opening to the burrow system with a pebble, so as camouflaging the entrance, and can be removed when there is a need to exit the burrow in times of danger.[2]
References
- Musser, G.G.; Carleton, M.D. (2005). "Superfamily Muroidea". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 894–1531. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- Burnett, S.; Aplin, K. (2008). "Pseudomys patrius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2008. Retrieved 1 December 2016.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
- Dyke, S. V. (1997). "Queensland Pebble-Mound Mice ... Up from the tailings". Australian Nature Magazine. 25/10: 40–47.
- AUSTRALIANFAUNA.COM 1909 Eastern Pebble-mound Mouse (Pseudomys patrius) Archived 2016-04-15 at the Wayback Machine