Cricetulus longicaudatus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	RODENTIA	CRICETIDAE

Scientific Name:

Cricetulus longicaudatus

Species Authority:

(Milne-Edwards, 1867)

Common Name/s:

English

–

Long-tailed Dwarf Hamster

Synonym/s:

Cricetulus andersoni Thomas, 1908

Cricetulus kozhantschikovi Vinogradov, 1927

Cricetulus nigrescens G.M. Allen, 1925

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

Batsaikhan, A., Tinnin, D., Lhagvasuren, B. & Sukhchuluun, G.

Reviewer/s:

Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Tsytsulina, K. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Justification:
This species has a large population size and a wide distribution. No decline in population size has been detected, and there are no known widespread major threats.

History:

1996

–

Lower Risk/least concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	Distributed in mountain steppes in N and C China (Qinghai, Xizang; Nei Mongol, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, N Henan, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Gansu, Ningxia, Qinghai, N Xinjiang), W and C Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Tuva and Trans-Baikal Region (Russia). In Mongolia east to approximately 104° E longitude. Recently recorded in northern portions of Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve in Eastern Govi.
Countries:	Native: China; Kazakhstan; Mongolia; Russian Federation
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	No data are available at present.
Population Trend:	Unknown

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	Inhabits desert country to shrubland to forests and alpine meadows in southern part of the range. Also found in rocky mountain steppe and semi-desert habitats, preferentially foothills and southern sides of mountains where poa and bushes grow. Most abundant in piedmont semidesert and low cereal steppe up to 1900 m asl. It occupies shallow burrows often constructed under rocks that extend horizontally beneath the surface. Feeds mostly on seeds, sometimes use insects. Constructs food stores and grass-lined nests. Sometimes occupies burrows built by other small mammals. Nocturnal. At least two litters of 4-9 young are produced each year, beginning in March or April.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits desert country to shrubland to forests and alpine meadows in southern part of the range. Also found in rocky mountain steppe and semi-desert habitats, preferentially foothills and southern sides of mountains where poa and bushes grow. Most abundant in piedmont semidesert and low cereal steppe up to 1900 m asl. It occupies shallow burrows often constructed under rocks that extend horizontally beneath the surface. Feeds mostly on seeds, sometimes use insects. Constructs food stores and grass-lined nests. Sometimes occupies burrows built by other small mammals. Nocturnal. At least two litters of 4-9 young are produced each year, beginning in March or April.

Systems:

Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	Habitat degradation may be resulting through grazing by increasing numbers of livestock. In some areas, other rodent species may cause competition for resources. Drying of water sources and droughts also threaten this species, although it remains unclear if these represent natural environmental changes or are driven by anthropogenic activity. These are not considered major threats to the species at present.

Major Threat(s):

Habitat degradation may be resulting through grazing by increasing numbers of livestock. In some areas, other rodent species may cause competition for resources. Drying of water sources and droughts also threaten this species, although it remains unclear if these represent natural environmental changes or are driven by anthropogenic activity. These are not considered major threats to the species at present.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	Approximately 11% of the species’ range in Mongolia occurs within protected areas. In the rest of the area listed as Least Concern.

Conservation Actions:

Approximately 11% of the species’ range in Mongolia occurs within protected areas. In the rest of the area listed as Least Concern.

Citation:	Batsaikhan, A., Tinnin, D., Lhagvasuren, B. & Sukhchuluun, G. 2008. Cricetulus longicaudatus. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 25 May 2012.
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