Distinguishing features
This is one of the larger Australian Pseudomys species. Its fur is grey-brown dorsally, flecked with buff and black, and with a distinctly paler belly. Dark guard hairs cover the upper portions of the body and give the heath mouse a fluffy appearance. The feet are brown but slightly paler than the body. This mouse is very similar in appearance to the bush rat (Rattus fuscipes), but it can be distinguished by the shape of the posthallucal pad on the foot.
The head of the heath mouse is characteristically blunt, with a Roman nose and bulging eyes, characteristics shared by the majority of the Pseudomys genus.
Another common characteristic of Pseudomys, which is also the second morphological character that helps to distinguish the heath mouse from the bush rat, is the hairy tail with distinct bi-colouration: dark above and light beneath. (Wikipedia)
Size
- Up to 12 cm (Head and body length)
- Up to 11 cm (Tail length)
Weight
- Up to 90 kg
Synonyms
Similar taxa
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
It is endemic to Australia.
