| Servant mouse | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Mus |
| Species: | M. famulus |
| Binomial name | |
| Mus famulus Bonhote, 1898 | |
Theservant mouse (Mus famulus) orBonhote's mouse, is a species ofrodent in the familyMuridae.It is found only in theWestern Ghats ofSouth India, where it is restricted toEravikulam National Park,Avalanche,Kalapatti, andCoonoor.
The servant mouse is a nocturnal terrestrialrodent. Its naturalhabitats are subtropical or tropical dryforests and subtropical or tropical dry lowlandgrassland. It is typically observed in the area having elevation in the range of 1,540–2,400 m (5,050–7,870 ft).
The servant mouse has been classified as on theIUCN Red List asEndangered since 1996 primarily because of wide spreadhabitat destruction. The current habitable area is estimated to be less than 500 km2 (190 sq mi), which is thought to be declining in extent and quality.[1]It has been listed in the schedule V of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act. 1972 amended in 2002.
