| Lophuromys simensis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Lophuromys |
| Species: | L. simensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Lophuromys simensis Osgood, 1936 | |
Lophuromys simensis, commonly known as the short-tailed brush-furred rat [1] or Simien brush-furred rat, [2] [3] is a species of brush-furred mouse. [1] [4] It was described by Osgood in 1936 under the name Lophuromys flavopunctus simensis. [5] It has been considered a likely synonym of Lophuromys brunneus (Thomas, 1906). [6]
L. simensis is endemic to Ethiopia, where it has been observed in the forests and grasslands, [1] ranging in elevation from 1,800m to over 3,000m. [2] It has been found in the Simien Mountains National Park, [1] [7] and gains its name from the Simien Mountains where it was first observed. [5]
Osgood described L. simensis as being similar in color to L. flavopunctatus and L. zaphiri. [5]
The species primarily consumes invertebrates, though it has a varied diet that changes depending on the season. In the dry season, they eat more leaves, stems, and seeds, whereas they eat more invertebrates in the wet season. [8]
