ROUND-TAILED MUSKRAT 



Pine Mice are found in forested and brushy areas, but not in 

 densely timbered regions, seeming to prefer an environment 

 where open patches alternate with stands of brush, shrubs, 

 or trees. Their runways are not on the surface like those 

 of the Meadow Mice, but are mole-like tunnels just below 

 the surface of the ground. These tunnels are smaller than 

 Mole runways but like them in distribution and relation to 

 the surface. There are numerous openings to the surface of 

 the ground through which the Mice can pass in search of 

 food, but much of the food is obtained under the surface as 

 roots and bulbs. Pine Mice often use Mole runways when 

 these tunnels make contact with their own system. 



Pine Mice are like the other Meadow Mice in their general 

 habits, such as activity throughout the year, tendency to 

 live in colonies, and fecundity. Several litters are raised in a 

 year but the young number only from one to four, rather less 

 than in Microtus. 



Pine Mice are destructive to agriculture, especially to 

 orchards, for their depredations are frequently not noticed 

 until too late to save the trees, and because their presence is 

 so well hidden by the earth or the snow. 



Genus Neofibex 

 Dentition: Incisors, \\ Canines, 2 ; Premolars, % ; Molars, f = i6. 



Round-tailed Muskrat; Florida Water Rat.— Neo- 



fiber alleni and subspecies 



General Description. — Appearance that of a diminutive 

 Muskrat, with a round tail. Pelage long and composed of 

 glistening guard-hairs and short, soft underfur ; fore and hind- 

 feet not peculiar; plantar tubercles five in number; tail round; 

 ears nearly hidden in fur. 



Color.— Sexes colored alike; no marked seasonal variation. 



Upperparts uniform dark brown; underparts whitish or 

 tinged with buffy. 



Measurements.— Total length, 13 inches; tail vertebrae, 

 5 inches; hind foot, 1.6 inches. 



Geographical Distribution.— Florida. 



Food. — Vegetation, such as grass, bark, and roots. 



Enemies.— Hawks, Owls, Snakes, and small predatory 

 mammals. 



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