Kingdom Animalia Order Rodentia Genus Peromyscus Scientific name Peromyscus eva Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Family Cricetidae Species group P. eremicus Higher classification Peromyscus | |
People also search for Dickey's deer mouse, Burt's deer mouse | ||
Eva's desert mouse (Peromyscus eva) is a species of rodents in the genus Peromyscus of the family Cricetidae found only in the Baja California peninsula of Mexico.
Contents
Description
Eva's desert mouse measures 19 cm (7.5 in) from head to rump, on average, and has a 10 cm (3.9 in) tail. They weigh between 13 and 20 grams (0.46 and 0.71 oz). The fur is russet or buff in color over most of the body, with pale grey markings on the nose, cheeks, and around the eyes. The ears are pale brown and almost hairless, and the underparts creamy white. It can most clearly be distinguished from the cactus mouse, which is found in the same geographical region, by the shape of the baculum, although it is also typically darker in color, and with a longer tail.
Little is known of the animal's biology, although it is usually found close to succulent plants, and appears to breed between February and July.
Distribution and habitat
Eva's desert mouse lives only in the southern part of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico. Within this region, it inhabits scrubland habitats below 1,800 m (5,900 ft) dominated by plants such as cholla, Jatropha, and organ-pipe cactus, and in agricultural land. Two subspecies have been identified: