Cape Spiny Mouse
(Acomys subspinosus)
 Description: The Cape Spiny mouse dark
greyish brown with rusting tinge on the side flanks. The chin, chest,
and feet are whitish in coloration and the belly is grey. The tail is
bicolored with dark coloration on top and light coloration on the
bottom with a black tip. The coat contains bristles instead of hair
that can be quite sharp.
Size: The total
length is 17 cm, and the tail averages 9cm. The Cape spiny mouse
usually weighs around 21g.
Habitat: Frequents
rocky areas and along rivers.
Behavior: The Cape
spiny mouse is nocturnal and spends the daytime taking refuge in rock
crevices that it may share with other individuals.
Diet: The main
staples of the diet are insects, seeds and berries.
Predators: Medium sized cats, birds of prey and mongoose prey on the
Cape spiny mouse.
Predators:
Caracals, servals and leopards prey on the Small-spotted genet.
Reproduction: Young
are born in the summer with up to five per litter.
On Wildcliff:
Captured during a mammal trapping effort in August 2008 near Hidden
Valley. They are endemic to portions of South Africa.
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