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The term spiny mouse refers to any species of rodent within the genus Acomys. [1] Similar in appearance to mice of the genus Mus , spiny mice are small mammals with bare tails which contain osteoderms , a rare feature in mammals. [ 2 ]
The Cairo spiny mouse grows to a head and body length of about 3.75 to 5 in (95 to 127 mm) with a tail of much the same length. Adults weigh between 1.5 and 3 oz (43 and 85 g). The colour of the Cairo spiny mouse is sandy-brown or greyish-brown above and whitish beneath. A line of spine-like bristles run along the ridge of the back.
The fur on its back is tawny, each hair being grey at the base with a rufous sub-terminal band and a grey tip. It takes its name from a line of spiny hairs on the posterior part of the back, in older mice the spiny hairs spread forwards along the back towards the head. The ventral fur is white and separated clearly from the flanks.
Golden Spiny Mouse from Saudi Arabia, Arabian Peninsula The most frequently studied aspect of Acomys russatus is its apparent ability to switch from nocturnal to diurnal activity patterns. Specifically, it is naturally nocturnal, but will become diurnal when sharing a habitat with its congener , another spiny mouse species, Acomys cahirinus .
Percival's spiny mouse (Acomys percivali) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. [2] It is found in Kenya , Somalia , South Sudan , and Uganda . Its natural habitats are dry savanna , subtropical or tropical dry shrubland , and rocky areas.
Arabian Spiny Mouse from Eastern Saudi Arabia. The eastern spiny mouse is a small rodent with a head-and-body length of up to 17.5 cm (7 in) and a tail of up to 12.5 cm (5 in), and a maximum weight of about 90 g (3.2 oz). The fur feels coarse when rubbed against the lie of the hairs, each individual hair being dark tan with a greyish tip.
Chudeau's spiny mouse (Acomys chudeaui) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae found in Algeria, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, and Niger. [2] Its natural habitats are rocky areas and hot deserts .
Cape spiny mice may live singly or in small groups. They feed almost exclusively on seeds, especially ant dispersed seeds of Restionaceae and Proteaceae with elaiosomes. The remainder of the diet consists of green plant material and insects, millipedes, and snails. In addition, the cape spiny mouse feed extensively on Protea humiflora flower.