Platacanthomyidae - Malabar spiny dormouse

There are two species in this family. They are found in China, Vietnam, and India.

They have mouse-like bodies; long, furry tails with stiff hairs at the end; and round ears. They are found in tropical and subtropical forests.

The Malabar spiny dormouse is found in old growth rainforests in southwestern India. It is nine inches in length. Four of those inches is its tail! It has soft brownish-gray fur and long pointed ears, It is nocturnal and spends most of its time in the trees. It lives in small family groups in tree cavities. It eats fruits and nuts.

The Chinese pygmy dormouse is found in China and Vietnam. It is also known as the sort-furred tree mouse. Its body is 2.5-3.5 inches in length and its tail is 4-5 inches long. It is dark gray on its uppersides and light gray on its undersides. Its long tail gray tail has a brushy white tip.

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist. If no status is listed, there is not enough data to establish status.

US Status Key
Threatened in US Threatened in NH Endangered in US Endangered in NH Introduced
Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife and NH Fish and Game

Other Species Around the World
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH Species
Malabar Spiny Tree Mouse - Platacanthomys lasiurus		Chinese Pygmy Dormouse - Typhlomys cinereus