Pseudomys higginsi has an overlapping range with the velvet-furred swamp rat (Rattus lutreolus velutinus) in wet sclerophyll forests, and interspecific competition for space has been noticed. It is believed that swamp rats restrict access of P. higginsi to better microhabitat and food supply. (Monamy et al. 1999, Driessen et al. 1999)
Becuase of their dietary habits, these mice likely affect both the populations of predators and the plant community. They are likely seed dispersers.
Ecosystem Impact: disperses seeds
None known
Pseudomys higginsi has several ectoparasites that may affect humans and/or pets. The most conspicuous is the mite Laelaps calabyi. Other ectoparasites include a tick Ixodes tasmani, several fleas Pygiopsylla hoplia, Acanthopsylla rothschildi, and Stephanocircus pectinipes and a louse Hoplopleua calabyi. (Driessen et al., 1999)
See Reproduction.
Although this mouse is not thought to be as common as it once was, it is not under threat of extinction.
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
Other common names of P. higginsi include Higgins' Mouse, Tasmanian Mouse, Tasmanian Pseudo-rat, and Long-tailed Rat. Pseudomys comes from the combined form of Greek pseudes meaning false and Latin mys (plural mus) meaning mouse. The name higginsi came from a physician and natural history dealer resident of Tasmania named E.T. Higgins. (Strahan 1995, Driessen et al. 1999)
Long-tailed Mice are opportunistic feeders and their main foods are monocotyledons, subterranean fungi, fruits of shrubs, and invertebrates. In the spring mosses and ferns are common and in the summer monocotyledons and dicotyledons are common. They will not have to drink water if succulent food is eaten. (Strahan 1995, Driessen et al. 1999)
Animal Foods: insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods
Plant Foods: leaves; fruit; bryophytes
Primary Diet: omnivore
The long-tailed mouse (Pseudomys higginsi) is found on the island of Tasmania and is the only species of rodent endemic to Tasmania. Fossils have been found on the Australian mainland in Victoria and Eastern New South Wales that date back to the late Pleistocene. (Driessen et al., 1999)
Biogeographic Regions: australian (Native )
Other Geographic Terms: island endemic
Pseudomys higginsi prefers areas with high annual rainfall such as rainforests and wet sclerophyll forests. They also can be found in wet scrub and eucalyptus scrub, but are rare or absent in dry forests, grasslands and low alpine vegetation. They are found between sea level and eleations of about 1,200 m. They create tunnels and runways in wet and shaded habitats under the moss-covered forest floor. They are known to retreat to holes in rotting stumps and logs. Pseudomys higginsi have been found in open to dense vegetation areas and also in undergrowth areas devoid of cover 0.5 m from the ground. (Driessen et al., 1999; Strahan, 1995)
Range elevation: sea level to 1,200 m.
Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial
Terrestrial Biomes: rainforest ; scrub forest
Maximum lifespan of P. higginsi in the wild is about 18 months. (Strahan, 1995)
Average lifespan
Status: wild: 18 months.
Pseudomys higginsi has soft fur that is grayish-brown above and white below. The young are more uniformly colored. The bicolor tail has the same coloration as the body. The tail is about 170 mm long, the head and body is about 130 mm long, and the hind foot length is about 33 mm. The slender, tapered tail is carried in a curved shape well above ground while in locomotion. Some P. higginsi have a white tip on the tail. The tail is likely used for balance. The hind feet and tail lengths are relatively longer than other species in the genus. Long-tailed mice weigh 60 to 70 g. The face is pointed and the eyes are set forward. The ears are large and rounded at 24 mm and when pressed forward will cover the eyes. The iris is dark brown and the nostril is pink and naked. There are four nipples prominent on the abdomen. The upper incisors are 4 mm above the gums and the anterior of the tooth is orange. The lower incisors are pale yellow and are 6 mm long. The cheek teeth are rooted and can be aged by wear. The dental formula is 1/1 0/0 0/0 3/3 = 16. There is no sexual dimorphism between male and females, however many female measurements slightly exceed male measurements. (Stoddart et al. 1993, Driessen et al. 1999)
Range mass: 60 to 70 g.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; bilateral symmetry
Masked owls and Eastern quolls are the main predators of P. higginsi. Before settlement, it was determined that 44% of the masked owl's diet was P. higginsi but now it is only about 1%. This suggests that there was a higher abundance of long-tailed mice in the past. (Driessen et al., 1999). Specific anti-predator behaviors have not been reported for these mice, However, if they are alarmed they will explode from the area and leap about 30cm in any direction. This could be an adaptation to avoid the sharp talons of a predator.
Known Predators:
The mating system and behavior of this mouse have not been characterized.
Pseudomys higginsi has a breeding season from November to April. The long-tailed mouse raises one to two litters in a season each with a litter size of 3 to 4 offspring. Gestation lasts for 30 to 34 days. Spontaneous ovulation occurs with an estrous cycle of about 10 days in adults. Population numbers increase after an extreme rainfall season. (Strahan, 1995; Driessen et al., 1999)
Young P. higginsi are born in natal fur with a head and body length one-third the size of the mother. The incisors erupt before birth and are directed inward. These inward incisors are used for firm attachment to mother’s teat. If there is danger, the mother can hurry away and not lose her young, who remain attached to the teats. The incisors will wear to normal rodent-like teeth as the young grow into adults.
At eight days P. higginsi can crawl even though their eyes aren't open yet. The eyes open at 15 days and the ears unfold at 18 days. The tail is short at birth but grows rapidly to equal head and body length by 18 days of age.
The mother leaves young in the nest while she forages. Neonates and are wholely dependent on the mother until 25 days, and at 33 days they are independent. The hind feet triple in size the first 5 weeks (35 days) to reach adult size. By 40 days P. higginsi is near adult size except for the tail, which grows until the 75th day. The first molt occurs at 50 days with the final adult coat at 100 days.
(Strahan, 1995; Driessen et al., 1995)
Breeding season: Reproduction can occur from November until April.
Range number of offspring: 3 to 4.
Range gestation period: 30 to 34 days.
Average weaning age: 33 days.
Key Reproductive Features: seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual ; fertilization (Internal ); viviparous
Average birth mass: 5 g.
Average number of offspring: 2.3.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 270 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 272 days.
As in all mammals, the female cares for the young by nursing them. P. higginsi mothers leave their altricial young in a nest while they go out to forage. The young are weaned around 33 days of age.
Parental Investment: altricial ; female parental care
Pseudomys higginsi és una espècie de rosegador de la família dels múrids. És endèmic d'Austràlia, on viu a altituds d'entre 0 i 1.600 msnm. Els seus hàbitats naturals són els camps de roques i les tarteres de l'estatge subalpí, així com els boscos humits temperats de faig austral. Es creu que no hi ha cap amenaça significativa per a la supervivència d'aquesta espècie.[1] Aquest tàxon fou anomenat en honor del biòleg i paleontòleg australià E. T. Higgins.[2]
Pseudomys higginsi és una espècie de rosegador de la família dels múrids. És endèmic d'Austràlia, on viu a altituds d'entre 0 i 1.600 msnm. Els seus hàbitats naturals són els camps de roques i les tarteres de l'estatge subalpí, així com els boscos humits temperats de faig austral. Es creu que no hi ha cap amenaça significativa per a la supervivència d'aquesta espècie. Aquest tàxon fou anomenat en honor del biòleg i paleontòleg australià E. T. Higgins.
The long-tailed mouse (Pseudomys higginsi) is a native Australian mammal in the Order Rodentia and the Family Muridae. It is found only on the island of Tasmania. The long-tailed mouse is an omnivore that feeds on insects and a range of plants. It is found in forested areas, particularly in sub-alpine scree, and may live in burrows.
The species reaches a weight of about 70 grams. It is distinguished from other species by its two-tone tail, which is white on the underside and dark above. The tail is 1.3 times longer than the head and body combined. It is speculated that P.higginsi uses its tail for balance while leaping in habitat such as boulder screes.[2]
Fossils of this species have been found in Cloggs Cave, Buchan in eastern Victoria and were identified by palaeontologist Jeanette Hope. The date for the remains based on C-14 dating were between 12 and 20,000 years old.[3]
The long-tailed mouse ranges from sea level to approximately 1,200 m. and seems to prefer habitats that offer high rainfall, such as wet forests.[4] It is a habitat generalist which is resilient to environmental modifications. In a study of short-term responses of native rodents to various logging styles in old growth wet Eucalyptus forests, it was found that the long-tailed mouse was equally abundant across all forestry treatments and was positively correlated to reduced ground cover.[5]
Another study found that significantly greater numbers of long-tailed mouse were found in wet disturbed forests and that logging and harvesting did not effect the diversity of the local ecosystem.[6] A conservational study conducted in 2012 was able to compare the historical range of the long-tailed mouse to its current range to determine if this helped predict the risk of extinction.[7] Reduced geographic range size is often a strong predictor of species decline.[7] It was shown that despite modern habitat loss, the long-tailed mouse is less threatened than would be expected from just the loss of its historical habitat ranges.
The long-tailed mouse is an opportunistic generalist omnivore whose diet is seasonal and varies with local availability. Using fecal analysis, it was found to consume a wide range of plant matter, such as grasses, grains, bamboo, fruits, ferns, and mosses. It was also found to consume fungi and insects of wide varieties.[8]
The long-tailed mouse is a primarily nocturnal mammal but can also be active during the day.[4] It is found primarily in rainforest, wet scrub, eucalyptus scrub, sedgeland, and low alpine vegetation.[9]
Relevant abundance of the long-tailed mouse is correlated to several other species in its habitat. Lazenby et.al. was able to show across four independent sample areas that the abundance of the long-tailed mouse was correlated positively to swamp rats (Rattus lutreolus velutinus) and negatively correlated to feral cats (Felis catus). Tasmanian devils were also shown to have a negative effect on the long-tailed mouse and all other small mammal populations surveyed in this study.[10]
The long-tailed mouse breeds seasonally from September through June[11] Gestation generally lasts approximately 31–33 days, with an average litter of 3 young.[4] Young become fully independent 33 days after birth and reach adult size at approximately 40 days.[4] The tail will continue to grow until they are approximately 75 days old.[11] There is no significant sexual dimorphism in this species. However, there is some geographic variation in the species concerning overall body weight, hind foot length, and tail length.[11]
As a mammal, P.higginsi nurses their young from shortly after birth until weaning. The young fasten themselves to the nipples, which allow for the mother to take evasive actions when necessary.[12]
The long-tailed mouse (Pseudomys higginsi) is a native Australian mammal in the Order Rodentia and the Family Muridae. It is found only on the island of Tasmania. The long-tailed mouse is an omnivore that feeds on insects and a range of plants. It is found in forested areas, particularly in sub-alpine scree, and may live in burrows.
The species reaches a weight of about 70 grams. It is distinguished from other species by its two-tone tail, which is white on the underside and dark above. The tail is 1.3 times longer than the head and body combined. It is speculated that P.higginsi uses its tail for balance while leaping in habitat such as boulder screes.
Fossils of this species have been found in Cloggs Cave, Buchan in eastern Victoria and were identified by palaeontologist Jeanette Hope. The date for the remains based on C-14 dating were between 12 and 20,000 years old.
Pseudomys higginsi Pseudomys generoko animalia da. Karraskarien barruko Murinae azpifamilia eta Muridae familian sailkatuta dago.
Pseudomys higginsi Pseudomys generoko animalia da. Karraskarien barruko Murinae azpifamilia eta Muridae familian sailkatuta dago.
Il topo australiano dalla coda lunga (Pseudomys higginsi Trouessart, 1897) è un roditore della famiglia dei Muridi endemico della Tasmania.[1][2]
Roditore di piccole dimensioni, con la lunghezza della testa e del corpo tra 115 e 145 mm, la lunghezza della coda tra 145 e 195 mm, la lunghezza del piede tra 30 e 35 mm, la lunghezza delle orecchie tra 21 e 25 mm e un peso fino a 90 g.[3]
La pelliccia è lunga e soffice. Le parti superiori sono grigio-brunastre scure. Le orecchie sono grandi, arrotondate e grigiastre. Il muso è scuro, mentre sono presenti due anelli più scuri intorno agli occhi. Le parti ventrali sono leggermente più chiare delle parti dorsali, con le punte dei peli giallo-brunastre. Le mani e i piedi sono biancastri. La coda è più lunga della testa e del corpo, grigio-brunastra sopra e bianca sotto, con un ciuffo terminale. Sono presenti 13 anelli di scaglie, corredata ciascuna da 3 peli. Il cariotipo è 2n=48 FN=52-54.
È una specie prevalentemente notturna e terricola. Costruisce nidi sul terreno, in alberi caduti e altre cavità.
Si nutre di felci, frutta, semi, funghi, erba, muschio e artropodi.
La stagione riproduttiva va da ottobre a marzo. Le femmine danno alla luce fino a tre piccoli fino a due volte l'anno.
Questa specie è diffusa in Tasmania e sull'isola di Bruny. In passato è stata presente anche lungo le coste orientali dell'Australia.
Vive principalmente nei ghiaioni sub-alpini e tra gli ammassi rocciosi. È presente anche in foreste umide temperate di Nothofagus, in foreste umide di Sclerofille e in felceti fino a 1 600 metri di altitudine.
Sono state riconosciute 2 sottospecie, di cui una è estinta:
La IUCN Red List, considerato il vasto areale, la presenza in diverse aree protette e la popolazione numerosa, classifica P.higginsi come specie a rischio minimo (LC).[1]
Il topo australiano dalla coda lunga (Pseudomys higginsi Trouessart, 1897) è un roditore della famiglia dei Muridi endemico della Tasmania.
Pseudomys higginsi is een knaagdier uit het geslacht Pseudomys dat voorkomt op Tasmanië, een eiland ten zuiden van Australië. Daar leeft hij in allerlei soorten bos, tot op 1600 m. Op grote hoogte is hij het meest algemeen.
De rug is bruingrijs, de onderkant lichtgrijs, met een geleidelijke overgang. De bek en de oogring zijn wat donkerder. De staart is van boven bruingrijs en van onder crèmekleurig. De oren zijn groot, rond en rozegrijs. De voeten zijn van boven wit en van onderen donkerbruin. De kop-romplengte bedraagt 115 tot 145 mm, de staartlengte 145 tot 195 mm, de achtervoetlengte 30 tot 35 mm, de oorlengte 21 tot 25 mm en het gewicht 50 tot 90 gram. Vrouwtjes hebben 0+2=4 mammae.
De soort is 's nachts actief en slaapt in een nest in bijvoorbeeld een holle boom. Hij eet van alles, waaronder fruit, zaden, schimmels, gras, mossen en geleedpotigen. Van oktober tot maart worden er meestal drie jongen geboren.
Pseudomys higginsi is een knaagdier uit het geslacht Pseudomys dat voorkomt op Tasmanië, een eiland ten zuiden van Australië. Daar leeft hij in allerlei soorten bos, tot op 1600 m. Op grote hoogte is hij het meest algemeen.
De rug is bruingrijs, de onderkant lichtgrijs, met een geleidelijke overgang. De bek en de oogring zijn wat donkerder. De staart is van boven bruingrijs en van onder crèmekleurig. De oren zijn groot, rond en rozegrijs. De voeten zijn van boven wit en van onderen donkerbruin. De kop-romplengte bedraagt 115 tot 145 mm, de staartlengte 145 tot 195 mm, de achtervoetlengte 30 tot 35 mm, de oorlengte 21 tot 25 mm en het gewicht 50 tot 90 gram. Vrouwtjes hebben 0+2=4 mammae.
De soort is 's nachts actief en slaapt in een nest in bijvoorbeeld een holle boom. Hij eet van alles, waaronder fruit, zaden, schimmels, gras, mossen en geleedpotigen. Van oktober tot maart worden er meestal drie jongen geboren.
Pseudomys higginsi[2] är en däggdjursart som först beskrevs av Édouard Louis Trouessart 1897. Pseudomys higginsi ingår i släktet australmöss, och familjen råttdjur.[3][4] IUCN kategoriserar arten globalt som livskraftig.[1] Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.[3]
Denna gnagare blir ungefär 13 cm lång (huvud och bål), har en cirka 17 cm lång svans[5] och väger 30 till 90 g (oftast 60 till 70 g).[6] Pälsen är på ovansidan gråbrun och på undersidan vitaktig. Även svansen är uppdelad i en mörk ovansida och en ljus undersida, ibland förekommer en vit spets och dessutom har svansen en tofs vid slutet. Bakfötterna är med en genomsnittlig längd av 3,3 cm större än hos andra australmöss. De övre framtänderna har en orange framsida och de nedre framtänder en blek gulaktig framsida. Tandformeln är I 1/1 C 0/0 P 0/0 M 3/3, alltså 16 tänder.[5]
På Tasmanien förekommer två andra arter av australmöss (inklusive närbesläktade arter) men Pseudomys novaehollandiae är tydlig mindre (15 till 26 g) och Mastacomys fuscus är betydlig större (97 till 145 g) än Pseudomys higginsi.[6]
Pseudomys higginsi förekommer på Tasmanien och på flera mindre öar i regionen. Arten vistas i låglandet och i bergstrakter som är på Tasmanien cirka 1600 meter höga.[1] I västra delen av ön hittas arten ofta i fuktiga skogar med hårdbladsväxter och i regnskogar. På östra Tasmanien är gnagaren vanlig i taluskon samt i fuktigare delar av torra skogar.[6] Pseudomys higginsi hittas även i tempererade sydbokskogar (Nothofagus) och i sänkor med ormbunkar.[1]
Arten är främst aktiv på natten men den kan även vara dagaktiv. Den går främst på fyra fötter och ibland står den bara på bakfötterna. Om gnagaren hotas gör den ett 30 cm långt hopp. Födan utgörs av enhjärtbladiga växter, av svampar, av frukter, av buskar och av olika ryggradslösa djur.[5]
Mellan november och april (enligt äldre källor mellan september och juni[6]) kan honan föda två kullar med 3 till 4 ungar per kull. Dräktigheten varar 30 till 34 dagar och när ungarna föds har de slutna ögon och öron. De suger sig fast vid moderns spenar och kan så följa med när modern flyr från en fiende. Vanligen stannar honan de första dagarna i boet och ungarna lämnas efter en tid där när modern letar efter föda. Efter cirka 15 dagar öppnas ögonen och 18 dagar efter födelsen även öronen. Ungarna diar sin mor cirka 33 dagar. Nyfödda ungar är täckta av mjuka hår. Det första pälsbytet sker efter ungefär 50 dagar och efter 100 dagar får de en hårväxt som motsvarar de vuxna djurens päls.[5]
Pseudomys higginsi jagas främst av tornugglor (Tytonidae) och av pungmården Dasyurus viverrinus.[5]
Pseudomys higginsi är en däggdjursart som först beskrevs av Édouard Louis Trouessart 1897. Pseudomys higginsi ingår i släktet australmöss, och familjen råttdjur. IUCN kategoriserar arten globalt som livskraftig. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.
Pseudomys higginsi là một loài động vật có vú trong họ Chuột, bộ Gặm nhấm. Loài này được Trouessart mô tả năm 1897.[1]
Pseudomys higginsi là một loài động vật có vú trong họ Chuột, bộ Gặm nhấm. Loài này được Trouessart mô tả năm 1897.
긴꼬리쥐(Pseudomys higginsi)는 쥐과에 속하는 설치류의 일종이다.[2] 오스트레일리아 토착 포유류로 태즈메이니아주 섬에서만 발견된다.[1] 긴꼬리쥐는 잡식성 동물로 곤충과 다양한 식물을 먹는다. 숲에서 발견되며, 특히 아고산 지대의 무너져 내린 바위 부스러기 지대에서 서식하며, 굴 속에서 살 수도 있다. 몸무게는 최대 약 70g에 달한다. 다른 종과 구별되는 특징은 2가지 색을 띠는 꼬리로 윗면은 희고 아랫면은 검다. 꼬리가 꼬리를 제외한 몸길이의 1.3배로 길다. 균형을 잡기 위해 꼬리를 사용한다고 알려져 있는 반면에 둥근돌 부스러기와 같은 서식지에서 뛰어 오른다.[3] 긴꼬리쥐 화석이 빅토리아주 동부 버칸의 버칸 동굴에서 발견되었고 고생물학자 호프(Jeanette Hope)가 동정했다. 탄소-14 방사성 탄소 연대 측정법으로 검사한 결과 만들어진 연대가 1만 2천년부터 2만년 전까지 거슬러 올라간다.[4]
긴꼬리쥐는 해수면부터 해발 약 1,200m 지역에 분포하며, 습윤 숲과 같은 강수량이 아주 많은 지역을 좋아하는 것으로 보인다.[5] 다양한 서식지에 사는 종으로 변화하는 환경에 잘 적응한다. 습윤 유칼립투스 성숙림에서 다양한 벌목 방식에 반응하는 토착종 설치류에 대한 단기 연구에 의하면, 긴꼬리쥐는 모든 임업 작업에 걸쳐 동등하게 풍부하고, 감소된 지표면 면적과 양의 상관 관계를 보인다.[6]
또 다른 연구를 통해 상당한 수의 긴꼬리쥐가 습윤 교란 숲에서 발견되며 벌목과 수확이 지역 생태계의 다양성에 영향을 미치지 않는다라는 사실이 발견되었다.[7] 2012년 수행된 보전 연구를 통해 긴꼬리쥐의 역사적인 범위를 현재 분포 범위와 비교하여 멸종 위기를 예측하는 데 도움이 되는지 판단할 수 있다.[8] 감소한 지리적 범위의 크기는 종 감소를 예측하는 강력한 예측인자가 되기도 한다.[8] 현대의 서식지 감소에도 불구하고 긴꼬리쥐는 역사적인 서식지 범위의 감소를 통해 예측하는 것보다는 덜 위협적인 것으로 밝혀졌다.
긴꼬리쥐는 계절에 따라 다르고 먹이를 구하는 현지 사정에 따라 다양하게 기회적으로 일반섭식을 하는 잡식성 동물이다. 분변 분석을 하면, 풀과 곡식, 대나무, 열매, 양치류, 이끼 등 광범위한 식물을 섭취하는 것으로 나타난다. 다양한 종류의 진균류와 곤충을 먹는 것으로도 드러났다.[9]
긴꼬리쥐는 주로 야행성 포유류지만 낮 동안에도 활동할 수 있다.[5] 주로 열대우림과 습윤 관목, 유칼립투스 관목 지대, 사초속 식물 서식지, 낮은 고도의 아고산 식생 지대에서 발견된다.[10] 긴꼬리쥐의 풍부함은 같은 서식지에서 사는 여러 다른 종과 관련이 있다. 4곳 독립적인 표본 지역에서의 레이전비(Lazenby) 등의 연구에 의하면, 긴꼬리쥐의 풍부함은 오스트레일리아습지쥐(Rattus lutreolus velutinus)와는 양의 상관 관계를 보이고 야생고양이(Felis catus)와는 음의 상관관계를 보인다. 태즈메이니아데빌도 긴꼬리쥐와 이 연구에서 조사된 다른 모든 작은 포유류 개체군과 부정적인 영향을 보인다.[11]
긴꼬리쥐는 9월부터 6월까지 계절성 번식을 한다.[12] 임신 기간은 일반적으로 약 31~33일간 유지되며, 평균 3마리의 새끼를 낳는다.[5] 새끼는 33일 후 완전한 상태로 태어나며 어른 크기로 성숙해지는 데 약 40일이 걸린다.[5] 꼬리는 생후 75일까지 자란다.[12] 긴꼬리쥐는 눈에 띄는 성적이형성을 보이지 않는다. 그러나 몸무게와 뒷발 길이, 꼬리 길이 등은 지역적으로 약간의 변이를 보인다.[12]
포유류로써 긴꼬리쥐는 새끼를 낳은 후부터 젖을 뗄 때까지 짧게 새끼를 돌본다. 어린 새끼들이 젖꼭지에 달라붙게 함으로써 어미가 필요할 때 회피행동을 할 수 있게 한다.[13]
긴꼬리쥐(Pseudomys higginsi)는 쥐과에 속하는 설치류의 일종이다. 오스트레일리아 토착 포유류로 태즈메이니아주 섬에서만 발견된다. 긴꼬리쥐는 잡식성 동물로 곤충과 다양한 식물을 먹는다. 숲에서 발견되며, 특히 아고산 지대의 무너져 내린 바위 부스러기 지대에서 서식하며, 굴 속에서 살 수도 있다. 몸무게는 최대 약 70g에 달한다. 다른 종과 구별되는 특징은 2가지 색을 띠는 꼬리로 윗면은 희고 아랫면은 검다. 꼬리가 꼬리를 제외한 몸길이의 1.3배로 길다. 균형을 잡기 위해 꼬리를 사용한다고 알려져 있는 반면에 둥근돌 부스러기와 같은 서식지에서 뛰어 오른다. 긴꼬리쥐 화석이 빅토리아주 동부 버칸의 버칸 동굴에서 발견되었고 고생물학자 호프(Jeanette Hope)가 동정했다. 탄소-14 방사성 탄소 연대 측정법으로 검사한 결과 만들어진 연대가 1만 2천년부터 2만년 전까지 거슬러 올라간다.
