EN

Mus famulus

Local name: Bonhote’s Mouse

Unknown

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Mus famulus faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in the Western Ghats of India. Deforestation for tea and coffee plantations has fragmented its montane forest habitat, while invasive plant species alter the understory vegetation structure essential for foraging. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force this cool-adapted species to retreat to increasingly smaller high-elevation refugia.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits montane evergreen forests and shola grasslands in the Western Ghats of southern India, typically at elevations between 1,500-2,500 meters. It prefers dense understory vegetation with abundant leaf litter and rocky crevices that provide shelter and foraging opportunities.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies recoveryEx-situ conservation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Bonhote’s Mouse classified as Endangered?
Bonhote’s Mouse is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. Mus famulus faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and urban development across its limited range in the Western Ghats of India. Deforestation for tea and coffee plantations has fragmented its montane forest habitat, while invasive plant species alter the understory vegetation structure essential for foraging. Climate change poses an additional threat as rising temperatures force this cool-adapted species to retreat to increasingly smaller high-elevation refugia.
Where does Bonhote’s Mouse live?
Bonhote’s Mouse occurs in India. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Bonhote’s Mouse?
The main threats to Bonhote’s 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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