Desmarest's spiny pocket mouse

Heteromys desmarestianus

SUBFAMILY

Heteromyinae

TAXONOMY

Heteromys desmarestianus Gray, 1868, Guatemala.

OTHER COMMON NAMES

None known.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Total length 11.9 in (302 mm); weight 2.4 oz (74 g). Pelage is dark gray to black with white underside.

DISTRIBUTION

Southern Mexico to northwestern Colombia.

HABITAT

Lowland tropical forest.

BEHAVIOR

Seasonal differences in home ranges; males move greater distances than females; may be social as they tolerate conspecifics in the laboratory.

FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET

Feeds on seeds, green leaves, succulent plants.

REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY

Breeds year round with seasonal rains; three in litter.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Not threatened.

SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS

Disperses seeds in tropical forests.