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The montane African climbing mouse or remarkable climbing mouse (Dendromus insignis) is a species of rodent in the family Nesomyidae.[1] It is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.[2]
| Dendromus insignis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Nesomyidae |
| Genus: | Dendromus |
| Species: | D. insignis |
| Binomial name | |
| Dendromus insignis (Thomas, 1903) | |
The montane African climbing mice have short, soft brown to reddish-brown pelage[3] with a dark stripe down the middle of their backs and dark gray or grayish underparts.[2] They have tails that can equal up to 133% of their head and body length, which taper and are covered in scales and short hair.[4]
Montane African climbing mice have a typical mymorphous zygomatic arch with a narrow infraorbital foramen, due to the prominence of the lower anterior-positioned masseter muscles—resulting in only three molars in a row and grooved upper incisors.[4]
The hind limbs of the montane African climbing mouse are elongated, with hind feet highly specialized for climbing. D. insignis have a reduced inner proximal foot pad, and a reduced first digit with a nail.[4]
The montane African climbing mouse is one of the largest species of the genus Dendromus, with head and body length ranges from 76 mm to 90 mm and weigh from 7-20 g,[5] up to 20% larger than other Dendromus species. Additionally, their head is relatively large compared to other genera of rodents, making up about 27% of their head and body length[4] and resulting in longer molar rows.[2]
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Behavior and Diet
The montane African climbing mouse avoids predation by being nocturnal, using its well-adapted hind feet to climb twigs and dense grasses and its long hindlimbs to produce long jumps of up to 45 cm.[4] Its climbing agility is used to contribute to its insectivorous and granivorous diet, and allows for nests to be above ground.[4]
Range and Habitat
Its home range of extends through mountainous areas but they generally dwell in heath and alpine zones.[6] They have been documented across a wide range of high altitude locales, including elevations as high as 4240 m.[5] Below 2000 m, grassland meets the montane forest, and D. insignis is less commonly found, as easy-to-climb dense vegetation is reduced.[7]
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