Population size
Unknown
Life Span
2 yrs
WEIGHT
35 g
LENGTH
95-115 mm
Spinifex hopping mice are a little larger than a common house mouse. As with all hopping mice, their hind legs are greatly elongated, the fore limbs small, and the brush-tipped tail is very long. The fur color of these mice is chestnut or fawn above, pale below, with a grey wash about the muzzle and between the eye and ear. The fur is longer and coarse black guard hairs on the back. The tail is sparsely furred and pink, darker above than below.
Video
Distribution
Spinifex hopping mice are found throughout the central and western Australia. They inhabit sandy soils in areas of plains and dunes.
Climate zones
Habits and Lifestyle
Spinifex hopping mice live in small family groups of up to 10 individuals in deep, humid burrow systems. Typically, there is a large nest chamber lined with small sticks and other plant material. The nest is about a metre below the surface, from which several vertical shafts lead upwards. These mice are mostly seen at night, bounding across open ground on their large hind feet, with tails extended and the body almost horizontal.
Group name
Lifestyle
Seasonal behavior
Diet and Nutrition
Spinifex hopping mice are omnivores. The feed on seeds, green plants and insects when available.
Diet
Omnivore
Mating Habits
MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
year-round, peak in spring
PREGNANCY DURATION
38-41 days
BABY CARRYING
3-4 pups
INDEPENDENT AGE
28 days
FEMALE NAME
doe
MALE NAME
buck
BABY NAME
pup, pinkie, kit
Spinifex hopping mice exhibit a polygynandrous (promiscuous) mating system in which both, males and females have multiple partners. Breeding can take place at any time of year depending on conditions, with spring being favoured. Pregnancy usually lasts 38-41 days but can be extended significantly if the mother is still suckling the previous brood. Litters of 3 or 4 young are typical, 6 being the maximum. Young are born blind and weigh about 3 grams. It takes around 20 days for the eyes to open. Females care and nurse their young in the nest until they are weaned for around 28 days. Young Spinifex hopping mice reach reproductive maturity at about 2,5 months of age.
Population
Population threats
There are no major threats to Spinifex hopping mice at present/
Population number
The IUCN Red List and other sources do not provide the Spinifex hopping mouse total population size. This animal is common and widespread throughout its known range. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
References
1. Spinifex Hopping Mouse on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinifex_hopping_mouse
2. Spinifex Hopping Mouse on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/14867/22401181