Geogale aurita
SUBFAMILY
Geogalinae
TAXONOMY
Geogale aurita Milne-Edwards and Grandidier, 1872, Moron-dava, Madagascar. G. a. orientalis is known from one specimen collected along the east coast.
OTHER COMMON NAMES
None known.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
Head and body length about 2.8 in (7 cm); weight 0.2–0.3 oz (5–8.5 g). Fur is red-brown, yellow on underside. Tail has fine hair covering.
DISTRIBUTION
Restricted to western and southwestern portion of Madagascar, except for the specimen noted above.
HABITAT
Occurs in dry deciduous, gallery, and spiny bush forest. Unknown outside of forested zones. Often associated with fallen and rotten tree trunks.
BEHAVIOR
Few details available about this nocturnal species. Usually seen singly, although apparent male-female pairs can be found in close proximity to one another. Heterothermic with body temperature corresponding to the ambient temperature; enters a daily state of torpor.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Terrestrial. The diet includes mostly invertebrates, particularly termites.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
May be monogamous. Mating in late September to March. Gestation 54–69 days. Litter size 1–5 and neonates naked with nonfunctional ears and eyes. Eyes open between 21 and 33 days old and the young are soon thereafter weaned.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Within its range this species can be notably common. Its continued existence depends on the maintenance of natural forest.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
None known.
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