Four-striped Field Mouse
Scientific name: Rhabdomys pumilo
Common names: Four-striped Field Mouse; Striped Field Mouse; Streepmuis (Afr)
The body length is 18 - 21 cm; weight range 30 -55 g. As its common name suggests the four-striped
grass mouse is easily identified by the 4 distinct dark longitudinal
stripes running the length of the back. Colour varies from dark
grizzled russet brown to a grey-white. The sides and underparts are
lighter but vary from off-white to pale grey-brown. The backs of the
ears and the snout are russet to yellowish brown. The upper surfaces
of the feet are usually lighter in colour than the body. Research
has shown that the average body size does vary in different
geographical areas, and that tails can be shorter or equal to the
body length. Distribution Widely distributed in South Africa and Namibia, with patchy occurrence in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. Habitat It has a wide habitat tolerance, from desert fringe to high-rainfall mountain areas, but does require the presence of grass. |  |
Habits
Striped mouse are active during the day, but
are seldom active at night as they cannot maintain their body
temperature if the environment is below 5 degrees C. They excavate a
burrow system with the entrances well concealed in clumps of grass
and create a radiating system of runways with their regular
excursions to the feeding grounds. They are common around houses.
Food
The four-striped grass mouse is an omnivore,
eating seeds, other plant material, and insects. Its diet varies
seasonally. It builds up fat stores that assist it to survive in
times of limited food supply. Green plant material forms the largest
portion of the diet with seed consumption higher in the summer
months. The insect component of the diet seems to be fairly
consistent.
Reproduction
During the breeding season the adult females appear to be territorial and have a reduced home range. Litters are usually born in summer after a 25 day gestation period. Average litter size is 5-6 altricial (helpless and blind) young. At birth the four dark stripes are visible as deeply pigmented lines in the skin. The young are born in grass nests either within the burrow system or above ground. They only begin to wander from the nest after 14 days. Life span: 18 months.
