VU

Chibchan Water Mouse

Chibchanomys trichotis

Unknown

Overview

The Chibchan water mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in the Andean highlands of Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. Its natural habitats are tropical cloud forests and streams at elevations from 2,500 to 2,700 m.

It feeds on snails and possibly small fish. It is the only currently described species in the genus Chibchanomys. It is a dull gray to black rat with a pale gray venter.

The rat's tail is slightly longer than its body, measuring 115 to 133 millimetres compared to a head-body length of 113 to 125 mm.

The Chibchan Water Mouse faces significant threats from habitat loss and degradation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human settlement development throughout its limited range in Central and South America. Its specialized semi-aquatic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to water pollution and alterations to riparian ecosystems, while climate change poses additional risks to the specific moisture and temperature conditions it requires.

Threat summary

Habitat

Inhabits tropical montane cloud forests and humid premontane forests along streams, rivers, and other freshwater bodies, typically at elevations between 1,000-3,000 meters. This semi-aquatic rodent requires dense riparian vegetation and clean water sources with rocky substrates for foraging and shelter.

Other threatened species in Cricetidae

VU

Pittier's Crab-eating Rat

Ichthyomys pittieri

Unknown
Southwestern water vole, Southern water voleVU

Southwestern water vole, Southern water vole

Arvicola sapidus

Unknown
VU

Indefatigable Galapagos Mouse

Nesoryzomys indefessus

Unknown
Taczanowski's Oldfield MouseVU

Taczanowski's Oldfield Mouse

Thomasomys taczanowskii

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Chibchan Water Mouse classified as Vulnerable?
Chibchan Water Mouse is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Chibchan Water Mouse faces significant threats from habitat loss and degradation due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and human settlement development throughout its limited range in Central and South America. Its specialized semi-aquatic lifestyle makes it particularly vulnerable to water pollution and alterations to riparian ecosystems, while climate change poses additional risks to the specific moisture and temperature conditions it requires.
Where does Chibchan Water Mouse live?
Chibchan Water Mouse occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Chibchan Water Mouse?
The main threats to Chibchan Water Mouse are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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