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Baiomys taylori

(Thomas, 1887)

Northern Pygmy Mouse

G4Apparently Secure (G4G5) Found in 1 roadless area NatureServe Explorer →
G4Apparently SecureGlobal Rank
Least concernIUCN
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.104307
Element CodeAMAFF05010
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVertebrate Animal
IUCNLeast concern
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomAnimalia
PhylumCraniata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilyCricetidae
GenusBaiomys
Other Common Names
Ratón Bolsero del Norte (ES)
Concept Reference
Wilson, D. E., and D. M. Reeder (editors). 1993. Mammal species of the world: a taxonomic and geographic reference. Second edition. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC. xviii + 1206 pp. Available online at: http://www.nmnh.si.edu/msw/.
Conservation Status
Review Date1996-11-12
Change Date1996-11-12
Range Extent Comments
Central Mexico (Michoacan, central Hidalgo, and central Veracruz) north to southern Sonora, southeastern Arizona and southwestern New Mexico, and central and eastern Texas and southern Oklahoma (Eshelman and Cameron 1987, Caire 1991). Range expanding; see Choate et al. (1990) for discussion of northward and westward dispersal through Texas.
Threat Impact Comments
Avoids areas with high densities of imported fire ants (Killion et al. 1995).
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Coastal prairie, midgrass prairie, mixed-desert shrub, prickly pear-shortgrass, sandy sage-juniper-mesquite grass- land, postoak savanna, pine-oak, oak-hickory, swales, along roadsides; areas with dense ground cover (Eshelman and Cameron 1987). Makes own runways or uses those of cotton rats or other mammals. Nests usually under fallen log, prostrate cactus pads, or in thick clumps of grass (A87ESH01NA).

Ecology

Home range estimates range from 45 to 729 sq m; home ranges often overlap. In some regions, populations may decline when SIGMODON HISPIDUS is abundant. Population density has been estimated at 2-84/ha in different habitats (Eshelman and Cameron 1987).

Reproduction

Breeds year-round in southern Texas; peaks in late and early spring (late winter to fall in northern Texas, Choate et al. 1990). Gestation lasts 20 days (or more if female is lactating). Young are weaned in 17-24 days. Prodcues several litters of 1-5 young per year. Sexually mature in 1-3 months (Eshelman and Cameron 1987).
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - HardwoodWoodland - MixedShrubland/chaparralSavannaGrassland/herbaceousOld fieldDesertCropland/hedgerow
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN4
ProvinceRankNative
ArizonaS3Yes
New MexicoS2Yes
OklahomaS1Yes
TexasS4Yes
Roadless Areas (1)
New Mexico (1)
AreaForestAcres
Peloncillo (NM)Coronado National Forest43,339
References (29)
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  2. Amman, B. R. and R. D. Bradley. 2004. Molecular evolution in Baiomys (Rodentia: Sigmodontinae): evidence for a genetic subdivision in B. musculus. Journal of Mammalogy 85:162-166.
  3. Banks, E. M., R. J. Brooks, and J. Schnell. 1975. A radiotracking study of home range and activity of the brown lemming (<i>Lemmus trimucronatus</i>). Journal of Mammalogy 56:888-901.
  4. Bowman, J. C., M. Edwards, L. S. Sheppard, and G. J. Forbes. 1999. Record distance for a non-homing movement by a deer mouse, <i>Peromyscus maniculatus</i>. Canadian Field-Naturalist 113:292-293.
  5. Brooks, R. J., and E. M. Banks. 1971. Radio-tracking study of lemming home range. Communications in Behavioral Biology 6:1-5.
  6. Caire, W. 1991. A breeding population of the northern pygmy mouse, <i>Baiomys taylori</i>, in southwestern Oklahoma. Southwest Nat. 36:364-365.
  7. Caire, W., J. D. Tyler, B. P. Glass, and M. A. Mares. 1989. Mammals of Oklahoma. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman. Oklahoma. 567 pp.
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  10. Choate, L. L., et al. 1990. Westward ho: continued dispersal of the pygmy mouse, Baiomys taylori, on the Llano Estacado and in adjacent areas of Texas. Occas. Pap. Mus. Texas Tech Univ. (134):1-8.
  11. Davis, W. B. 1978. The mammals of Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept., Bull. No. 41. 294 pp.
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  19. Killion, M. J., W. E. Grant, and S. B. Vinson. 1995. Response of <i>Baiomys taylori</i> to changes in density of imported fire ants. Journal of Mammalogy 76:141-147.
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