Jumping mice (subfamily
Zapodinae) are a group of mouse-like
rodentRodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
s in
North AmericaNorth America is the northern continent of the Americas, situated in the Earth's northern hemisphere and in the western hemisphere. It is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific...
and
ChinaChina is a cultural region, an ancient civilization, and, depending on perspective, a national or multinational entity extending over a large area in East Asia....
.
Although
mouse-likeMuroidea is a large superfamily of rodents. It includes hamsters, gerbils, true mice and rats, and many other relatives. They occupy a vast variety of habitats on every continent except Antarctica. Some authorities have placed all members of this group into a single family, Muridae, due to...
in general appearance, these rodents are distinguished by their elongated hind limbs, and, typically, by the presence of four pairs of cheek-teeth in each jaw. There are five toes to all the feet, but the first in the fore-feet is rudimentary, and furnished with a flat nail.
Discussion
Ask a question about 'Zapodidae' Start a new discussion about 'Zapodidae' Answer questions from other users |
Jumping mice (subfamily
Zapodinae) are a group of mouse-like
rodentRodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
s in
North AmericaNorth America is the northern continent of the Americas, situated in the Earth's northern hemisphere and in the western hemisphere. It is bordered on the north by the Arctic Ocean, on the east by the North Atlantic Ocean, on the southeast by the Caribbean Sea, and on the west by the North Pacific...
and
ChinaChina is a cultural region, an ancient civilization, and, depending on perspective, a national or multinational entity extending over a large area in East Asia....
.
Although
mouse-likeMuroidea is a large superfamily of rodents. It includes hamsters, gerbils, true mice and rats, and many other relatives. They occupy a vast variety of habitats on every continent except Antarctica. Some authorities have placed all members of this group into a single family, Muridae, due to...
in general appearance, these rodents are distinguished by their elongated hind limbs, and, typically, by the presence of four pairs of cheek-teeth in each jaw. There are five toes to all the feet, but the first in the fore-feet is rudimentary, and furnished with a flat nail. The tail makes up for 60% of its body length and is used to gain balance while bounding. The cheeks have pouches. The Sichuan jumping "Yeti" mouse (
Eozapus setchuanus) from China can be identified by the ‘Y’ marking on its belly.
In America these rodents inhabit forest, pasture, cultivated fields or swamps. When disturbed, they start off with enormous bounds of eight or ten feet in length, which soon diminish to three or four; and in leaping the feet scarcely seem to touch the ground. they are nocturnal and generally live alone. The nest is placed in clefts of rocks, among timber or in hollow trees, and there are generally three litters in a season.
Classification
- Family Dipodidae
- Subfamily Zapodinae
- Eozapus
- Napaeozapus
- Zapus
Zapus is a genus of North American jumping mice. It is the only genus whose members have the tooth formula I 1/1, C 0/0, P 1/0, M 3/3 = 18...
- Zapus hudsonius, Meadow jumping mouse
- Zapus princeps, Western jumping mouse
- Zapus trinotatus, Pacific jumping mouse