BARBARY STRIPED GRASS MOUSE

The 'Barbary Striped Grass Mouse' (''Lemniscomys barbarus''), also called the 'African Striped Grass Mouse' or the 'Zebra Mouse', is a small rodent of the suborder Myomorpha, native to Africa, and with striped fur. There are about eleven different species of striped grass mouse,World Association of Zoos and Aquariums: ''Striped Grass Mouse'' of which ''Lemniscomys barbarus'' is among the smallest, and among the most frequently encountered in captivity.Russel Tofts: ''Striped Mouse''
In the wild, the barbary striped grass mouse inhabits aresas such as dry bush and grass savannahs and semi-desert. It is found particularly in North Africa: Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia.World Association of Zoos and Aquariums: ''Striped Grass Mouse''
The adult reaches a size of 8 to 12 cm, from head to body; the tail is slightly longer. The average weight is 30 to 40 grams.
The male is sexually mature at ten weeks, the female at five to six months. The gestation period is twenty-one days, and a litter would normally contain about five young. The young are born blind and hairless.World Association of Zoos and Aquariums: ''Striped Grass Mouse''
The barbary striped grass mouse is active by day, and is a social animal.World Association of Zoos and Aquariums: ''Striped Grass Mouse'' Its typical behaviour is busy and inquisitive.Russel Tofts: ''Striped Mouse''
Subspecies of ''Lemniscomys barbarus'' include ''Lemniscomys barbarus albolineatus'', ''Lemniscomys barbarus convicutus'', ''Lemniscomys barbarus fasciatus'', ''Lemniscomys barbarus manteufli'', ''Lemniscomys barbarus spekei'', and ''Lemniscomys barbarus zebra''.Russel Tofts: ''Striped Mouse''
The lifespan of the striped grass mouse is short. In the wild, they generally do not live more than six months;World Association of Zoos and Aquariums: ''Striped Grass Mouse'' in captivity, it may be as long as four years, or even more, but according to Russel Tofts, even in captivity, they seldom live for more than two and a half years.Russel Tofts: ''Striped Mouse''

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References

External links

References

External links

★ Rodent-info.net Vielstreifengrasmaus

★ Striped grass mouse entry at World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)

★ Russel Tofts: ''Striped Mouse''

★ ''Lemniscomys barbarus'' entry in "AnAge": The Animal Aging Database

★ ''Lemniscomys barbarus'' entry in NMNH Mammal Species of the World

★ ''Lemniscomys barbarus'' entry in the IUCN Red List of threatened species

★ Barbary Mouse Illustration