The hispid pocket mouse (Chaetodipus hispidus ) is a large pocket mouse native to the Great Plains region of North America. It is a member of the genus Chaetodipus.
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
A burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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starts withThis mouse is one of the largest pocket mice. Its pelage is bristley (hispidus means "bristley"),yellowish with black hairs interspersed above. It has a distinct, buffy lateral line and white underparts.
The hispid pocket mouse occurs across the Great Plains from southern North Dakota to centralMexico, and west from the Missouri River to the foot of the Rocky Mountains. It is not foundin far-eastern portions of the states Kansas or Missouri.
Hispid pocket mice inhabit a variety of upland habitats, but are most abundant in areas with sandy soils and patches of bare ground. They are also found in areas with rocky, loamy soils. Hispid pocket mice are not found in rocky prairie, and seem to avoid sand dunes and riparian zones. These mice prefer a vegetation mix of short- to mid-grasses, shrubs, forbs, cacti and/or yucca.
Essentially granivores, the diet of the hispid pocket mouse consists primarily of seeds it selectively gathers, though these mice do consume some insects and leaves.
Burrows are always dug in friable soil and have two to three entrances, often plugged. Unlike other pocket mice the hispid pocket mouse often leaves a conspicuous mound of earth about the burrow entrance (like the mounds of pocket gophers, but significantly smaller).
Hispid pocket mice are solitary.
Not much is known about the reproduction of this species. Adult males have been recorded with enlarged testes fromMarch through October, and pregnant females have been trapped in July and August. The length of the breeding seasonsuggests females can bear two or more litters a year.
