Steatomys pratensis, Peters, 1846

Don E. Wilson, Russell A. Mittermeier & Thomas E. Lacher, Jr, 2017, Nesomyidae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 7 Rodents II, Barcelona: Lynx Edicions, pp. 156-203 : 203

publication ID

https://doi.org/ 10.5281/zenodo.6600357

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6600337

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03993828-FFE6-0F42-FFF2-F82EC400FDF8

treatment provided by

Felipe (2022-05-31 19:24:34, last updated 2024-11-26 00:29:20)

scientific name

Steatomys pratensis
status

 

66. View Plate 8: Nesomyidae

Common Fat Mouse

Steatomys pratensis View in CoL

French: Rat-adipeux de Peters / German: Gewohnliche Fettmaus / Spanish: Raton grueso comin

Other common names: Common African Fat Mouse

Taxonomy. Steatomys pratensis Peters, 1846 View in CoL ,

Tete , Zambezi River, Mozambique.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. Widely distributed in S Africa (S DR Congo, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, S Tanzania, Mozambique, NE Namibia, N & SE Botswana, Zimbabwe, N South Africa, and Swaziland; isolated records from Ethiopia and Kenya require verification. View Figure

Descriptive notes. Head-body 82-102 mm, tail 40-56 mm, ear 14-17 mm, hindfoot 14-19 mm; weight 22-48 g. The Common Fat Mouse is small, with noticeably short and sparsely haired tail, darker above than below. Fur is soft and highly variable from reddish-brown to dark brown dorsally, clearly demarcated from the pure white belly. Chin, throat, and upper chest are also white. Ears are relatively large and rounded. Limbs are white, with four digits on forefoot and five digits on hindfoot. Number of nipples varies, but there are usually 10-14.

Habitat. Wide variety of savannas, woodlands, and agricultural fields, typically with low vegetation cover and often on sandy soils. The Common Fat Mouse appears to select recently burned areas.

Food and Feeding. The Common Fat Mouse is predominantly granivorous but also eats green plant material and insects.

Breeding. Breeding of the Common Fat Mouse takes place in the wet season. In Swaziland, pregnant and lactating females have been recorded inJanuary-March, and recruitment of young occurs in March—May. Litter size varies considerably, with 1-9 young.

Activity patterns. The Common Fat Mouse is terrestrial and nocturnal. Individuals rest in burrows during the day. A single burrow was ¢.30 cm deep with four entrances, three of which were plugged with soil. Individuals accumulate copious amounts of subcutaneous fat during the wet season, becoming torpid for variable duration during the dry season. Individuals achieve high body weights during the rainy season, becoming significantly lighter during the dry season. Activity is reduced but not eliminated during the dry season.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. The Common Fat Mouse is relatively sedentary, focusing its activity in a small area; mean monthly distances between captures was 36 m in Swaziland. Burrows are usually occupied singly, occasionally two per burrow. Densities are relatively low; maximum densities of ¢.5-6 ind/ha noted in Swaziland.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red Lust.

Bibliography. De Graaff & Nel (1992), Ellison (1995), Hurst, McCleery, Collier, Fletcher et al. (2013), Hurst, McCleery, Collier, Silvy et al. (2014), Kinahan & Pillay (2008), Linzey & Kesner (1997a), Mahlaba & Perrin (2003), Monadjem (1999a, 1999b, 2013d), Monadjem & Perrin (2003), Monadjem et al. (2015), Perrin & Curtis (1980), Perrin & Richardson (2004, 2005a, 2005b), Plavsic (2015), Rautenbach et al. (2014), Richardson & Perrin (1992), Saetnan & Skarpe (2006), Schneider & Jorge (2007), Yarnell et al. (2007).

Gallery Image

1. White-tailed Tree Rat (Brachytarsomys albicauda), 2. Hairy-tailed Tree Rat (Brachytarsomys villosus), 3. Sleek-furred Ground Rat (Gymnuromys robert), 4. Antsingy Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus antsingy), 5. Carleton’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus carletoni), 6. Daniel’s Tufted-tail Rat (Elurus daniels), 7. Ellerman’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus ellermani), 8. Grandidier’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus grandidieri), 9. Major's Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus majori), 10. Lesser Tufted-taill Rat (Elurus minor), 11. Milne-Edwards’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus myoxinus), 12. White-tailed Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus penicillatus), 13. Petter’s Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus petteri), 14. Tanala Tufted-taill Rat (Elwurus tanala), 15. Webb's Tufted-tail Rat (Eliurus webbi), 16. Anjozorobe Naked-tail Forest Mouse (Voalavo antsahabensis), 17. Northern Naked-tail Forest Mouse (Voalavo gymnocaudus), 18. Bastard’s Big-footed Mouse (Macrotarsomys bastardi), 19. Ankarafantsika Big-footed Mouse (Macrotarsomys ingens), 20. Petter’s Big-footed Mouse (Macrotarsomys peter), 21. Koopman' ’ s Forest Mouse (Monticolomys koopmani), 22. Giant Jumping Rat (Hypogeomys antimena), 23. Small Short-tailed Rat (Brachywromys betsileoensis), 24. Large Short-tailed Rat (Brachyuromys ramirohitra), 25. Audebert’s Forest Rat (Nesomys audeberti), 26. Lamberton’s Forest Rat (Nesomys lambertoni), 27. Red Forest Rat (Nesomys rufus), 28. Delany’s Swamp Mouse (Delanymys brooksi), 29. African White-tailed Rat (Mystromys albicaudatus), 30. Shortridge’s Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus shortridger), 31. Short-eared Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus monticularis), 32. Barbour’s Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus barbouri), 33. Common Pygmy Rock Mouse (Petromyscus collinus)

Gallery Image

Distribution. Widely distributed in S Africa (S DR Congo, Angola, Zambia, Malawi, S Tanzania, Mozambique, NE Namibia, N & SE Botswana, Zimbabwe, N South Africa, and Swaziland; isolated records from Ethiopia and Kenya require verification.

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Mammalia

Order

Rodentia

SubOrder

Myomorpha

SuperFamily

Muroidea

Family

Nesomyidae

Genus

Steatomys