Liomys pictus
painted spiny pocket mouse

Western coast of Mexico south to NW Guatemala.

This species inhabits a range of areas from the Sonoran desert to the arid lowland tropics and the cloud forests. It seems to prefer moist areas whenever possible however.

The fur of these animals has stiff spines intermixed with soft, fine hairs. The upper parts are reddish brown and the underside white. When juveniles, their coats are grey and lack spines. Males are larger than females. Total body length average for males is 241mm and 229mm for females.

No clear seasonality to breeding and pregnancy, though males were found with larger testes from March to April compared to November to February. Two to six young are born after a gestation period of approximately 25 days. Females flee the nest if startled and return later to move young by carrying them in their cheek pouches. Litters usually break up after 1-2 months.

The painted spiny pocket mouse is an aggressive, solitary animal. It is found with conspecifics only when breeding or with young. It has the typical heteromyid behaviors of sand bathing, caching of seeds, and extensive washing and scratching. Encounters between individuals include neutral nose to nose contact, nasal-anal contact, and tail trembling or aggressive bouts of chasing, locking arms, and rushing.

Feeds on seeds mainly, occasionally nuts and insects.

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