Biodiversity
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Blackish Grass Mouse
Thaptomys nigrita | Lichtestein, 1829
PHOTO: Property of Native / Embrapa
Characteristics: Small rodent with a tail measuring less than half of its body length; it has a relatively elongated body and proportionately short limbs. Its back is dark brown, with little contrast with its belly, which is grayish-brown, and the base of its fur is dark gray. Small eyes and ears. Its paws have well-developed claws and are dark, as its back. Short, relatively bare tail, with epidermal scales visible. Females have four pairs of teats.
Distribution: This mammal is widely distributed, occurring in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. In Brazil, it occurs in the Southeast region (São Paulo, Paraná, Santa Catarina, and Rio Grande do Sul).
Habitat: Atlantic Forest formations. They occur in conserved vegetation, where they may be very common, and in altered vegetation, where they may be rare and little abundant.
Habits: Terrestrial and diurnal, moving around during the day. They live in natural galleries under the leaf litter layer.
Diet: Insectivorous-omnivorous, including arthropods and seeds.
Breeding: The breeding season is from August to March. The litter has two to five pups.
In the UFRA area: Species considered common. Always associated with native forests, Restored Native Forests, wetlands with herbaceous plants, and Wetlands with Riparian Forests.