Spectacled dormouse
{{Short description|Species of rodent}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Spectacled dormouse
| image = Graphiurus ocularis00.jpg
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Graphiurus
| species = ocularis
| authority = (A. Smith, 1829)
| range_map = Graphiurus ocularis Map.jpg
| synonyms =
}}
The spectacled dormouse or namtap (Graphiurus ocularis) is a species of rodent in the family Gliridae, and one of four dormouse species endemic to South Africa.
Description
It has a bushy, squirrel-like tail, a fairly short muzzle, small ears and soft fur. Its face is marked with white and grey, with dark rings (spectacles) around its eyes. Its cheeks, underparts and the upper surfaces of its paws are white. Its tail is also usually tipped with white.
Distribution and habitat
= Diet =
Its diet consists primarily of seeds, other plant material and invertebrates. They have been remarked to eat certain types of scorpions as well and will kill other mice or smaller rat species in their territory.
References
- Stuart C. & Stuart T. 2001. [https://books.google.com/books?id=sdY_sa1FPw0C&dq=south%20african%20mammal%20stuart&pg=PP1 Field Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa]. p. 92. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.
- Coetzee, N., Griffin, M. & Grubb, P. 2004. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/9488/all Graphiurus ocularis]. [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ] Downloaded on 29 July 2007.
- Holden, M. E.. 2005. Family Gliridae. pp. 819–841 in Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.
{{Gliridae nav}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q1769932}}
Category:Endemic fauna of South Africa
Category:Mammals of South Africa
Category:Mammals described in 1829
Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot
Category:Taxa named by Andrew Smith (zoologist)
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