Cozumel Harvest Mouse
Reithrodontomys spectabilis
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cozumel_harvest_mouse
Overview
The Cozumel harvest mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is endemic to the Mexican island of Cozumel off the Yucatán Peninsula. It is nocturnal and semiarboreal, and lives in dense secondary forest and forest edge habitats.
Its population is small, fluctuating and patchily distributed. The species is threatened by predation from feral cats and dogs and introduced boa constrictors, by competition with introduced nonnative rats and mice, and by habitat disturbances caused by hurricanes and floods which periodically strike the island.
The Cozumel harvest mouse faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to tourism development and infrastructure expansion on Cozumel Island. Hurricane impacts have devastated remaining forest fragments, while introduced predators like cats and rats pose additional pressure on this island endemic. The species' extremely restricted range makes it particularly vulnerable to any environmental disturbance or habitat modification.
Habitat
This species inhabits tropical dry forests and scrubland vegetation on Cozumel Island, Mexico. It prefers dense understory areas with thick leaf litter and fallen logs that provide cover and foraging opportunities.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in CRICETIDAE
Frequently asked questions
Why is Cozumel Harvest Mouse classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Cozumel Harvest Mouse live?
What are the main threats to Cozumel Harvest Mouse?
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