| Perote mouse | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Neotominae |
| Genus: | Peromyscus |
| Species: | P. bullatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Peromyscus bullatus Osgood, 1904 | |
ThePerote mouse[1] (Peromyscus bullatus), orPerote deermouse,[1] is a species ofrodent in the familyCricetidae.[2] It is a species of the genusPeromyscus, a group ofNew World mice often referred to as "deermice". It is found only inMexico.
The Perote mouse is the size of a small rat, with a total length of 18 to 22 centimetres (7.1 to 8.7 in), including a hairy tail that, at 9 to 12 centimetres (3.5 to 4.7 in), is typically longer than the animal's body. The mouse is tawny-ochre in colour, with creamy white underparts. The middle of the back is duskier than the rest of the animal, and the sides of head are grey. However, it can only be clearly distinguished from other mice in the genusPeromyscus by the fact that its ears are larger than its hindfeet by at least 2 mm (0.08 in), and, in the skeleton, by inflatedauditory bullae. These features may be related to an enhanced sense of hearing, allowing the mouse to readily detect predators.[3]
The Perote mouse is found only in theOriental Basin region of Mexico, including parts of westernVeracruz, centralPuebla and extreme easternTlaxcala. This is a relatively small region, between 2,250 and 2,500 metres (7,380 and 8,200 ft) in elevation, near the city ofPerote.[1] It is dominated by grassland and arid scrub vegetation, with some patches of coniferous forest. Within the region, the mouse prefers areas with sandy soil and a fewjuniper oryucca trees.[3] The mouse's highly specific habitat requirements, limited distribution, and declining population all contribute to itscritically endangered status.[1]
