Acomys dimidiatus
Acomys dimidiatus
Common Names
Arabian Spiny Mouse (English), Eastern Spiny Mouse (English), فأر سيناء الشوكى (Arabic)
Overview
Description
Eastern spiny mouse has coarse, dark tan and spine-like fur on the upperparts of the body extended from behind the shoulder onto rump. Body color varies from pale-brown to brown in color on the upperparts especially mid-dorsum while the underparts and feet white. The ear is large with white patches. Whitish suborbital region. Tail long, slender, hairless except on closer inspection has short bristles, shorter than the head and body length, upper surface of the tail pale grayish brown and buff or white on the ventral surface. Palm and sole of the feet buff and without hairs. Claws whitish.
Conservation
Status in Egypt
Native, resident.
Description
Behaviour
Largely nocturnal mammal. Sociable species, living in large groups. Omnivorous, feeding on snails, insects, scorpions, spiders, and also various plant parts. Eastern spiny mice can survive without food or water for nearly nine days and can erect its dorsal spines to enlarge its size and hence deceive predators. The tail and large patches of dorsal skin come off easily when handled; also act as an anti-predator device. Eastern spiny mice breed throughout the year with peak in breeding activity from February to July and female gives birth to a litter of two to five young after a gestation period of around 42 days.
Size
Body length: 93–125 mm. Tail length: 85–123 mm. Weight: 37–48 gm.
Ecology and Distribution
Distribution in Egypt
Localized (South Sinai).
Habitat
Spiny mice inhabits in mountains, wadis near wild plants, and in Bedouin gardens.
Taxonomy
- Mus dimidiatus Cretzschmar, 1826 (synonym)
- Acomys flavidus Thomas, 1917 (synonym)
- Acomys cahirinus (Cretzschmar, 1826) ssp. dimidiatus (synonym)