Macrotarsomys bastardi
bastard big-footed mouse

Macrotarsomys bastardi is found throughout southern and western Madagascar. (Anderson and Jones 1984, Nowak 1999, Parker 1990, Wilson and Reeder 1993)

Preferred habitats for M. bastardi are dry scrublands, dry deciduous forests, and grassland regions. (Wilson and Reeder 1993)

Macrotarsomys bastardi is the smallest species of the murid subfamily, Nesomyinae, the Malagasy mice. M. bastardi is similar in appearance to gerbils. Pelage color is brownish fawn on the upper body with a whitish underbelly. Body length ranges from 80 to 100 mm and tail length from 100-145 mm. The tail has a thin tuft of elongated hair at the end. The hind feet are rather large in comparison to body size and range from 22-28 mm long. Ears are from 22 to 25 mm long. The dental formula is 1/1, 0/0, 0/0, 3/3 = 16. Incisors are opisthodont and smooth faced. M. bastardi also has a weakly developed supraorbital shelf and moderately inflated auditory bullae. (Anderson and Jones 1984, Macdonald 1993, Nowak 1999, Parker 1990)

M. bastardi tend to live in pairs. This species is known to have 2-3 young per litter and to breed year round. Average gestation period is 24 days. In some studies females have bitten their mates to death. (Anderson and Jones 1984, Parker 1990)

These animals depend on running and jumping for locomotion. M. bastardi individuals spend most of the daylight hours in a burrow or lodge with the entrance hole sealed to keep out predators. Most activity occurs at night when they are foraging. (Anderson and Jones 1984, Parker 1990)

Their diet mainly consists of berries, fruits, seeds, roots, and plant stems. Little else is known about their food habits. (Parker 1990)

There are no known positive benefits to humans.

There are no known negative affects on humans.