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Ceylon spiny mouse

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Ceylon spiny mouse
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae
Genus: Mus
Species:
M. fernandoni
Binomial name
Mus fernandoni
(Phillips, 1932)

The Ceylon spiny mouse (Mus fernandoni) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found only in Sri Lanka,[1] where it is known as ශ්‍රී ලංකා ක‍ටු හීන් මීයා in Sinhala language.

Description

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Head and body length 9–11 cm. Tail 6–7 cm. Reddish gray above, with gray flat spines (each with 11mm in length) and the reddish hue from the intermixed fine fur. The underparts are pure white with many long black hairs overlying. Whitish to grayish underparts, sometimes with a reddish-brown tinge. The ears are dark and relatively large. Snout pointed. Tail scaly, dark purple in color, and longer than body length. The incisors are orange.

Range

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The Ceylon spiny mouse is an endangered species known only from the following locations.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c de A. Goonatilake, W.L.D.P.T.S. (2019). "Mus fernandoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2019: e.T13961A22404354. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T13961A22404354.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.