Asian Long-tailed Climbing Mouse

About the Asian Long-tailed Climbing Mouse

The Asiatic long-tailed climbing mouse (Vandeleuria oleracea) is a species of rodent found in South and Southeast Asia. It is known as Sinhala: ගස් මීයා by Sinhalese people. Vandeleuria oleracea has a lifespan of 2 years. They have a body length that is between 7–9 cm and has different colored upper and underparts. The species is within the Muridae family, which includes close relatives like the Vandeleuria nilagirica. They are found within terrestrial habitats in Asia. Along with this, they are able to secrete and carry two different viruses, Xenotropic Type C Virus and Kyasanur Forest Disease. Their overall conservation status is least concerned.

Head and body length is 7–9 cm. Tail is 10–12 cm. Reddish brown upperparts grading on the sides to light yellowish brown. Underparts are light brownish white. Long tail is dark, and slender with no tuft at tip. Largish hind feet with nails instead of claws on the outer toes, which are opposable. They are called a climbing mouse because they climb many different plants, such as cane grass.

V. oleracea is a part of the order Rodentia and the family Muridae. From the Muridae, specifically in the South-East Asian... Wikipedia →