Selevin's Mouse

(Selevinia betpakdalensis) a mammal of the order Rodentia, the only species of the family Myoxidae. Selevin’s mice resemble murids. The body length reaches 10 cm and the tail length 8 cm. The fur is thick and luxuriant. Selevin’s mice are gray above and whitish below. They inhabit the deserts of central and eastern Kazakhstan, occurring among artemisias and saltworts, from 50° N lat. to the border with China in the south. The species is rare everywhere. Selevin’s mice hibernate in winter. They are crepuscular and feed on insects, especially Acridoidea. Females give birth to as many as eight young.