Grey climbing mouse

Introduction: The grey climbing mouse (Dendromus melanotis) occurs on both dry grassland and on the edges of rivers and swamps, foraging around tall grasses, shrubs and annuals. A distinctive feature is the centre digits on the forefoot that can grasp the stems of grass and twigs. This enables it to move around with some speed and agility, whilst balancing by curling the tail around a stalk. Predators include the barn owl and snakes.

Distribution: Kavango River down to Kaudom Game Park and further along the Zambezi Region (formerly the Caprivi Strip) to Victoria Falls.

Diet: Seeds, insects and small vertebrates such as baby lizards.

Colouring: An ash-grey upper body, with a reddish-brown tint and a characteristic dark stripe running along the spine from the shoulders to the darker tail. The underbelly is white. Their dark ears have with a white patch at the base.

Breeding: Females litter down in ball-shaped nests, woven with grass stems or twigs of low bushes. Four pups are born in the summer months.

Size: Average head body length 68mm, tail 90mm.

Weight: 10g.