habitat_narrative
Terrestrial
The Desert Pygmy Mouse has an extensive habitat tolerance throughout semi-arid savannahs (Lamb et al. 2014), although it typically avoids open microhabitats. They have been recorded from the arid scrub savannah of the Kalahari to the wetter regions of the Okavango Delta (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). In general, their range includes areas with an average annual precipitation of 200â700 mm.This nocturnal species spends the daylight hours under cover, within crevices beneath debris, logs, bark and stones, and occasionally will dig small burrows into sandy soils, or utilise holes dug by other species (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). A colony of 35 individuals was documented during a period of favourable environmental conditions in the Kalahari Transfrontier Park, Northern Cape (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). They are not seasonal breeders, and give birth in round grass nests within shallow burrows (Smithers 1971).
This omnivorous species primarily feeds on grass seeds, seeds of Vachellia (previously Acacia spp.), dry pods, and the dry exterior layer of fruit from trees such as Ziziphus mucronata (Buffalo Thorn). They will also consume termites and small beetles, and have been documented exhibiting cannibalistic behaviour (Skinner & Chimimba 2005).
Ecosystem and cultural services: This species represents a valuable prey species for a number of predators, such as Suricates (Suricata suricatta) and Barn Owls (Tyto alba), and may also contribute to seed dispersal in the semi-arid and arid regions of southern Africa.
