Percival's spiny mouse (''Acomys percivali'') is a species of

rodent Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the Order (biology), order Rodentia (), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal species are roden ...

in the family

Muridae The Muridae, or murids, are the largest family of rodents and of mammals, containing approximately 1,383 species, including many species of mice, rats, and gerbils found naturally throughout Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. The name Muridae come ...

. It is found in Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry

shrubland Shrubland, scrubland, scrub, brush, or bush is a plant community characterized by vegetation dominated by shrubs, often also including grasses, herbs, and geophytes. Shrubland may either occur naturally or be the result of human activity. It m ...

, and rocky areas. It is one of two known species of mammals, the other being ''

Acomys kempi Kemp's spiny mouse (''Acomys kempi'') is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in Kenya, Somalia, and Tanzania. Its natural habitats are dry savanna A savanna or savannah is a mixed woodland-grassland (i.e. grassy woodland ...

'', capable of completely regenerating damaged tissue, including hair follicles, skin, sweat glands, fur and cartilage.

Classification

For the first time the species was described scientifically in 1911 by G. Dollman. Body length (without tail) is 82-111 mm, tail length is 39-92 mm (tail makes up 76% of body length), ear length is 11-15 mm, hind foot length is 9-15 mm; body weight is 18-48 g.

Habitat

It lives mainly in the lowlands within the Great Rift Valley of Africa. It is found up to 1000 m above sea level, especially in rocky areas covered with lava. It is an insectivorous animal.

References

Acomys Rodents of Africa Mammals described in 1911 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Acomys-stub