Hastings River Mouse

Hastings River Mouse (Pseudomys oralis) Mammals of Lamington National Park

The Hastings River Mouse

The hastings river mouse that can be found in New South Wales, Eastern Australia and Queensland in altitudes reaching 1200m. This rodent is endangered. Until recently there has been little information on the hastings river mouse due to its rarity and shyness, there is still limited information on the habits of this animal.

Hastings river mice prefer damp habitats, along drainage lines if necessary. Creek beds with dense vegetation are also utilized in addition to drier climates if necessary. Nests can be found in tree hollows close to the ground, most likely in the eucalypt forests and are made of an array of plant materials. Scientists are unsure of whether the hastings river mouse nests with others or alone. The hastings river mouse will nest in any cavity that is close to the ground, although tree hollows are the preferred nesting sites.

The body and head of a hastings river mouse measures about 145mm and the average tail measurement is about 140mm, slightly larger than most other mice. This animal weighs about 92g. Its fur is long and soft with a grey/brown hue on the body that fades into a very light grey on the underbelly. The nose is short, eyes are large, feet are white, and the tail is dark on top and creamy white on the bottom.

When studied in captivity the hastings river mouse would eat grain. In the wild, this rodent adapts well to the seasons by eating various plant material in the summer and when winter comes the diet is supplemented by fungi.

Breeding season occurs from August through March in the wild. In captivity the breeding season spanned from June through February. Two litters per mating season is possible with a maximum of 3 young per litter for a total of six per breeding season. The actual mating appears to be during the wet winter months.

The hastings river mouse is easily handled by humans suggesting possible domesticity of this animal. Adaptations appear to be easily made when the preferred environment is not available which supports this suggestion.

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Bibliography

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia, Menkhorst, P and Knight, F. Š2001.

Hastings Rover Mouse Pseudomys oralis, Lamington National Park, 8/8/04, http://lamington.nrsm.uq.edu.au/Documents/Anim/hastingsrivermouse.htm.


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