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Four-striped Grass Mouse


Four-striped Grass Mouse
Photo Information
Copyright: Anna Eksteen (Miss_Piggy) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2285 W: 5 N: 5300] (18714)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2012-10-05
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Sony Cybershot DSC HX1, Sony G lens 20x Optical zoom, Digital ISO 125
Exposure: f/5.2, 1/1600 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2014-02-08 21:08
Viewed: 3468
Points: 46
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Four-striped Grass Mouse / Rhabdomys pumilio

Today's image of this Four-striped Grass Mouse was also captured in the Addo Elephant National Park where all 3 my previous postings of the warthog, the female kudu and the foam grasshopper were also taken.

The Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Port Elizabeth in South Africa and is one of the country's 19 national parks. It currently ranks third in size after Kruger National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park.

It was our second year to visit the park and on this specific day we saw quite a number of different kinds of mice and rats on various spots and places in the park. I was very lucky to have been able to capture this little fellow as it was very busy running up and down to and through all the time.

Description
As its common name suggests the four-striped grass mouse is easily identified by the 4 distinct dark longitudinal stripes running the length of the back. Colour varies from dark grizzled russet brown to a gray-white. The sides and under parts are lighter but vary from off-white to pale grey-brown. The backs of the ears and the snout are russet to yellowish brown. The upper surfaces of the feet are usually lighter in colour than the body. Research has shown that the average body size does vary in different geographical areas, and that tails can be shorter or equal to the body length.

Size
Body length 18-21cm; weight range 30-55g

Distribution and habitat
Widely distributed in South Africa and Namibia, with patchy occurrence in Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique. It has a wide habitat tolerance, from desert fringe to high-rainfall mountain areas, but does require the presence of grass.

General Behaviour
Striped mouse are active during the day, but are seldom active at night as they cannot maintain their body temperature if the environment is below 5°C. They excavate a burrow system with the entrances well concealed in clumps of grass and create a radiating system of runways with their regular excursions to the feeding grounds. They are common around houses.

Food
They are omnivores, eating seeds, other plant material, and insects. Its diet varies seasonally. It builds up fat stores that assist it to survive in times of limited food supply. Green plant material forms the largest portion of the diet with seed consumption higher in the summer months. The insect component of the diet seems to be fairly consistent.

Reproduction
During the breeding season the adult females appear to be territorial and have a reduced home range. Litters are usually born in summer after a 25 day gestation period. Average litter size is 5-6. They are born helpless and blind. At birth the four dark stripes are visible as deeply pigmented lines in the skin. The young are born in grass nests either within the burrow system or above ground. They only begin to wander from the nest after 14 days. Life span: 18 months.

Conservation
Currently there is no conservation status for the four-striped grass mouse. Source

I hope you enjoy looking at this photo as much as I took pleasure in taking it.
Hotelcalifornia, ramthakur, peter_stoeckl, maaciejka, Diya, CeltickRanger, anel, PaulLees, jusninasirun, bungbing, marius-secan, imageme has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2014-02-08 21:39]

Hello Anna,
Nice to see this cute little mouse from Africa, I was beginning to think all your animals were either huge or had really large teeth:)
I noticed how long it's tail seems to be compared to the mice we have here in Ohio. The color of this little guy is also quite attractive with it's dark colored coat. Your lens has captured this specimen nicely with fine detail and beautiful natural colors.
The weather here has been really cold this winter with temperatures getting as low as minus 13 degrees Fahrenheit. I hope temps. are not as extreme for you guys and that winter has been mild.
Ron

Bom dia Anna,
Nice shot and best catch yet. Management of strong light was very well done and photo subject, this cute mouse, is unique.
Great presentation.
Raimundo

GREAT IMAGE QUALITY.........

Hello Anna,
What a beautiful picture of this Mouse.Very good details with excellent natural colour.Ground details are also very nice.Catching light on eye made it attractive.
Thanks for sharing,
Regards and have a nice time,
Srikumar

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2014-02-09 3:28]

Hello Anna,
Fantastic sharp detailed photo of this mouse. Even the smallest details are visible. Splendid saturated colours in a fine composition.
Regards,
Peter

You have captured this fellow in a funny posture, Anna. :)
Hope these Mice are not home pests.
A very good image with exceptional sharpness and contrasts.
Thanks and regards.
Ram

Dear Anna,
very cute and lively portrait, charming pose! Precise details, well handled strong light, perfectly instructive matter-of-fact notes.
A contribution that is a pleasure to see and to read, as always from you.
With thanks, and best wishes from Austria to the Cape of Good Hope,
Peter

Hi Anna,
nice mouse. Very good presentation. Excellent point of view. Perfect sharpness and details.
Thanks for sharing,
Maciek

  • Great 
  • Diya Silver Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Silver Note Writer [C: 0 W: 0 N: 25] (190)
  • [2014-02-09 6:01]

Hey Anna
First thing I noticed was ..Is that the tail that long?? I know that rats have long tail but that long...wow.
The picture is sharp and crisp with good light condition
Diya

hallo Anna
very nice and great sharpness picture of this mouse
good details and beautiful colours to
i like this picture
thanks greeting lou

Ciao Anna, great capture of cute creature in nice pose, excellent clarity, fine details, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2014-02-09 14:16]

Hi Anna,magnificent capture of this rare guest of TN,i like your way to take it,the decentralized location is perfect to show us all the tail,impressive details and bright colors too.Have a nice week and thanks,Luciano

Hello Anna

You shot the photo at the best moment of the pose of this adorable little mouse,
with fine POV at its level, great DOF, superb focus, sharpness, and details,
the little catch-light rendering the photo more beautiful, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 3053 W: 3 N: 8715] (40574)
  • [2014-02-10 4:23]

Hello Anna,
Very funny attitude of this little creature..not so easy to make good shots of animals with long tails, you have to think about the composition. Natural surrounding, good for camouflage. Interesting posting. Thanks a lot.
Anne

Hello Anna
A lovly and very natural shot of this Four-striped Grass Mouse.
Sharp and perfect colour.
nice to see this creature.
Best wishes,
Samiran

Good pic of this little rodent - very sharp and showing every detail.
regards
Pierre

Excellent capture of this rare Grass Mouse Anna, haven't been to the Addo Elephant Park for many years now, must plan a visit soon judging by the fabulous images you have given us recently, superb quality and what lovely lighting and colour,

Best Regards,

Pauly.

Hello Anna,
Very sharp and detailed,interesting pose and well framed.
Thanks,best regards,
Joy

Hello Anna.
You have done pretty well in getting the long tail in the frame. Nice capture with beautiful details.The curl is unique in fine framing.
Regards,
Jusni

Ciao Anne. TFS the interesting situation. Best light/colours. Perfect sharp.

Roberto

Hello Anna,
A very sharp photo of this little mouse, excellent pose, lovely colours, great highlighted eye with excellent details, a very well seen and well captured,
Thanks for sharing and have a nice evening,
Best Regards,
Bungbing.

Hello Anna,
I missed some of your photos. I was very busy in the last few month. This is really a beauty....I like the fantastic colors and shape of this interesting Grass Mouse....It is a perfect composition with a splendid colorful specie. Excellent clarity and fantastic sharp details as usual. Amazing and perfect moment chosen for this capture.
Thanks for sharing!
Marius.

Hi Anna, This mouse is captured well with its nature shown. Beautiful natural colours and composition. Nice pose. Best regards
Anna

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