Description
The mouse has black eyes, small peaked ears, and is fairly uniform in colour: mainly brown, with a lighter shade of fur on its underside. It is generally twice as heavy as field mice found on the mainland, with a mass of between 50 grams (1.8 oz) and 70 grams (2.5 oz), and has longer hair and a longer tail as well. The evolution of a larger size has been credited to a lack of predators in its island habitat,, which allows the mice to grow larger to preserve heat and increase fat storage. The mouse can reach a maximum length of about 17 centimetres (6.7 in). It is found across the main island, Hirta, especially in the remains of the human settlement, as well as on the island of Dùn, but not on Boreray. Studies of the fur of the mice have recorded the flea species Ctenophthalmus nobilis, and Nosopsyllus fasciatus on the mouse as well as the mite Typhloceras poppei. Studies of the intestines have observed the nematode Tictularia cristata and the cestode Hymenolepsis diminuta.
Read more about this topic: St Kilda Field Mouse
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