Tarkawara, Tarrkawarra
The Spinifex hopping mouse (Notomys alexis ) is a tiny semi-fossorial, burrowing rodent. It spends a great deal of energy not just foraging for food, but also transporting it back to their burrows.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
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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...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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BurrowingA 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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JumpingJumping (saltation) can be distinguished from running, galloping, and other gaits where the entire body is temporarily airborne by the relatively l...
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ZoochoryZoochory animals are those that can disperse plant seeds in several ways. Seeds can be transported on the outside of vertebrate animals (mostly mam...
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NomadicNomadic animals regularly move to and from the same areas within a well-defined range. Most animals travel in groups in search of better territorie...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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PolygynandryPolygynandry is a mating system in which both males and females have multiple mating partners during a breeding season.
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withSpinifex hopping mice are a little larger than a common House mouse. As with all hopping mice, their hind legs are greatly elongated, the forelimbs 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.
Spinifex hopping mice are found throughout central and western Australia. They inhabit spinifex-covered sand flats, sand dunes, and loamy mulga and melaleuca flats.
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 meter below the surface, from which several vertical shafts lead upwards. These mice are mostly seen at night, bounding across the open ground on their large hind feet, with tails extended and the body almost horizontal.
Spinifex hopping mice are omnivores. The feed on seeds, green plants, and insects when available.
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 favored. 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 for 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.
There are no major threats to Spinifex hopping mice at present.
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.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...