| Santa Cruz mouse | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Neotominae |
| Genus: | Peromyscus |
| Species: | P. sejugis |
| Binomial name | |
| Peromyscus sejugis Burt, 1932 | |
TheSanta Cruz mouse (Peromyscus sejugis) is a species ofrodent in the familyCricetidae. It is endemic toMexico, where it is found only on two small islands in the southernGulf of California. Feral cats onSanta Cruz Island are a threat.[1]
The Santa Cruz mouse is a relatively large member of itsgenus, measuring 16 to 20 cm (6.3 to 7.9 in) in total length, including a tail 7 to 9 cm (2.8 to 3.5 in) long, and weighing an average of 22 g (0.78 oz). The fur on the upper parts of the body is a dull greyish color, with a yellow-brown face, and sometimes a yellowish line along the flanks. The underparts are white, and the tail is distinctly darker on its upper surface than on its lower. It is generally similar in appearance to theNorth American deermouse, but is larger, with a longer snout and a duller color.[2]
The mouse is found only onSanta Cruz Island and the neighboring islet ofSan Diego, both of which lie in the south-westernGulf of California, about 17 km (11 mi) from the mainland. The larger island, with an area of 14 km2 (5.4 sq mi), is rocky and rugged, with the dominant vegetation includingelephant trees,clustervines, andnettlespurge. Mice have been collected from the bottoms of ravines on the island, rather than on the hilltops. San Diego Island, with an area of just 1.3 km2 (0.50 sq mi), is little more than a single rocky mound with some ground vegetation and cacti. Santa Cruz mice are the only native mammals known to live on the islands.[2]
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