Mayan Deer Mouse
Peromyscus mayensis
Overview
The Maya mouse or Maya deer mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is a species of the genus Peromyscus, a closely related group of New World mice often called deermice. It is endemic to the department of Huehuetenango, Guatemala with a very limited known range.
Peromyscus mayensis faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to agricultural expansion and urban development on the Yucatan Peninsula. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to localized disturbances, while introduced predators and competitors further pressure the remaining populations. Climate change poses an additional long-term threat through altered precipitation patterns affecting the dry forest ecosystems this mouse depends upon.
Habitat
This critically endangered mouse inhabits dry deciduous forests and scrubland areas of the northern Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico. It appears to prefer areas with dense understory vegetation that provides cover and foraging opportunities in these seasonally dry tropical environments.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in CRICETIDAE
Threatened in Guatemala
Frequently asked questions
Why is Mayan Deer Mouse classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Mayan Deer Mouse live?
What are the main threats to Mayan Deer Mouse?
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