HomeAnimal ProfilesMammalsSri Lankan Spiny Mouse

Sri Lankan Spiny Mouse

  • Sri Lankan Spiny Mouse
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Mayor’s Spiny Mouse (Mus mayori, Thomas, 1915) is a species of rodent that belongs to the family Muridae. It is an endemic species of rodent restricted to the southwestern rainforest of Sri Lanka. It belongs to the suborder Coelomys and is represented by two subspecies Mus mayori mayori (Thomas, 1915) which is found in the montane areas and Mus mayori pococki (Ellerman, 1947) which is found in the low country wet zone. As the norm for the suborder this species is nocturnal inhabit and is fossorial.

Scientific Classification

Mus mayori
  • Scientific Name :
  • Mus mayori
Animals
  • Kingdom :
  • Animals
Mammalia
  • Class :
  • Mammalia
Rodentia
  • Order :
  • Rodentia
Muridae
  • Family :
  • Muridae
Mus
  • Genus :
  • Mus
Mayori
  • Species :
  • Mayori

Quick Facts

Body - 90mm; Tail - 85-90mm
  • Size:
  • Body - 90mm; Tail - 85-90mm
Other
  • Diet:
  • Other
Sri Lanka
  • Locations:
  • Sri Lanka
Unknown
  • Population Trend:
  • Unknown
Vulnerable
  • Conservation Status:
  • Vulnerable

  • Physical Description

    It is a medium sized mouse with a body length (snout end to anus) of around 90mm. The tail is long, slender and scaly about the same length of the head and body. The feet are comparatively large; the ears are moderately large, rounded and naked. The general colour of the dorsal surface is fulvus brown and the ventral surface is white. This species is easily recognised by its flattened spiny fur of the dorsal surface.

  • Biology

    The Sri Lankan Spiny Mouse feeds on grains, grass, fallen fruits and when living near human habitations - rice. It is a nocturnal and fossorial (adapted to burrowing) species.

  • Habitat and Distribution

    The Spiny Mouse is found in tropical and subtropical montane, low-land evergreen forest; primary and secondary forest and near human habitation adjoin forested areas.

  • Threats and Conservation

    The Spiny Mouse is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. This species is highly threatened due to deforestation and clearing for farmland and ever expanding human population. This species also fall prey to domestic animals as cats. It is also considered as a pest as it feeds on stored grains, and is destroyed by farmers.