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Hopping mouse
Hopping mouse
Hopping mouse
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Hopping mouse
Temporal range: Late Pliocene - Recent
Dusky hopping mouse (Notomys fuscus)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae
Tribe: Hydromyini
Genus: Notomys
Lesson, 1842
Type species
Dipus mitchelli[1]
Species
Notomys alexis
†Notomys amplus
Notomys aquilo
Notomys cervinus
Notomys fuscus
†Notomys longicaudatus
†Notomys macrotis
†Notomys magnus
Notomys mitchellii
†Notomys mordax
†Notomys robustus

A hopping mouse is any of about ten different Australian native mice in the genus Notomys. They are rodents, not marsupials, and their ancestors are thought to have arrived from Asia about 5 million years ago.

All are brown or fawn, fading to pale grey or white underneath, have very long tails and, as the common name implies, well-developed hind legs. Half of the hopping mouse species have become extinct since European colonisation. The primary cause is probably predation from introduced foxes or cats, coupled with competition for food from introduced rabbits and hoofed mammals. A hopping mouse's primary diet is seeds. An Australian hopping mouse can concentrate urine to as high as 10,000 mOsm/L (10-20 times higher than a human). This allows it to survive in the desert without drinking water.

Species

[edit]
  • The spinifex hopping mouse (Notomys alexis) occurs throughout the central and western Australian arid zones, occupying both spinifex-covered sand flats and stabilised sand dunes, and loamy mulga and melaleuca flats.
  • The extinct short-tailed hopping mouse (Notomys amplus) was the largest species at around 100 g.
  • The northern hopping mouse (Notomys aquilo) is found only in coastal northern Australia, from Arnhem Land to the Cobourg Peninsula.
  • The fawn hopping mouse (Notomys cervinus) is found on the sparsely vegetated arid gibber plains and claypans of the Lake Eyre Basin. Small at around 30 to 50 g, and light in colour, it is gregarious and feeds at night on seeds, insects, and green shoots, not needing to drink water. It is classed as near threatened.
  • Some small dusky hopping mouse (Notomys fuscus) populations retain a slender hold on existence in the Strzelecki Desert. They feed, mostly on seeds, at night and shelter in deep vertical burrows.
  • The long-tailed hopping mouse (Notomys longicaudatus) is an extinct species, which was widespread in the drier regions of southern and central Australia. It dug burrows in stiff, clay soils. It liked raisins, but was not a pest to the stores of settlers. Only a handful of specimens were collected and the last record dates from 1901, although skull fragments were found in an owl pellet in 1977.
  • The extinct big-eared hopping mouse (Notomys macrotis) lived in the Moore River area of south-western Australia. The last record dates from 19 July 1843.
  • Mitchell's hopping mouse (Notomys mitchellii) is the largest extant member of the genus. It occurs throughout much of semi-arid Southern Australia and is currently considered to be unthreatened, although its range has been reduced through habitat disturbance and destruction.
  • The Darling Downs hopping mouse (Notomys mordax) is almost certainly extinct and is known only from a single skull collected somewhere on the Darling Downs of south-east Queensland in the 1840s, apparently from a creature similar to Mitchell's hopping-mouse. The introduction of cattle to the Darling Downs has greatly changed the ecology of the region, and seen several other species exterminated or seriously threatened. (See Paradise parrot and Northern hairy-nosed wombat.)
  • The great hopping mouse (Notomys robustus Mahoney, Smith and Medlin 2008) is extinct. It is known only from skulls found in owl pellets in the Flinders Ranges. Some pellets also include bones of the introduced house mouse—indicating that it survived into historic times, possibly the second half of the 19th century. From the skull, it appears to have been relatively large (perhaps the size of N. amplus or a little more) and to have escaped collection by early 19th century naturalists by chance. From the location of the deposits it is assumed that it preferred clay rather than sandy soils. It is notable that very few of the clay-living hopping mice have survived European settlement, sand dunes apparently providing a more secure refuge from competitors and predators. Also commonly known as the broad-cheeked hopping-mouse.
  • Notomys magnus one of the largest species of the genus, with an estimated body mass of 86 grams. Native to northeast Australia, it is only known from subfossil bones, but it is suspected to have gone extinct after European arrival.[2][3]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hopping mouse

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from Grokipedia
The hopping mouse (genus Notomys) is a group of ten Australian rodent species in the family Muridae, five of which are extant while the other five are extinct. These small mammals, typically weighing 20–50 grams and measuring 9–18 cm in body length with tails often exceeding body length, are characterized by elongated hind limbs enabling bipedal hopping, a long tufted tail for balance, large protruding eyes and ears adapted for nocturnal vision and hearing, and a throat pouch in most species for food storage. Native to arid and semi-arid regions, they are highly adapted to extreme environments, obtaining necessary moisture from seeds and insects without requiring free water, and sheltering in deep burrows during the day to conserve energy and avoid heat. The extant species include the widespread spinifex hopping mouse (Notomys alexis), Mitchell's hopping mouse (N. mitchellii), dusky hopping mouse (N. fuscus), fawn hopping mouse (N. cervinus), and northern hopping mouse (N. aquilo), each occupying specific habitats across central and inland such as sand dunes, spinifex grasslands, gibber plains, and open woodlands. Nocturnal and gregarious, hopping mice forage in small groups for a diet primarily of seeds (about 50%), supplemented by , green vegetation, berries, fungi, and occasionally small reptiles, using their strong incisors to gather food efficiently. They exhibit opportunistic breeding patterns triggered by rainfall, producing litters of 1–5 young after a of around 32 days, with juveniles dependent on the for about a month. Several hopping mouse species face significant conservation threats from habitat degradation due to livestock grazing and altered fire regimes, predation by introduced cats and foxes, prolonged droughts exacerbated by climate change, and competition with invasive rodents. As of November 2025, the dusky hopping mouse is listed as vulnerable under the Australian EPBC Act (though assessed as near threatened by IUCN following a March 2025 downlisting), the fawn hopping mouse is near threatened (IUCN) and vulnerable under South Australian legislation, and the northern hopping mouse is endangered under both IUCN and the EPBC Act, prompting targeted protection efforts including predator control and habitat restoration on reserves.

Taxonomy and evolution

Classification

Hopping mice are classified within the Notomys , , which belongs to the tribe Hydromyini, subfamily Murinae, family Muridae, order Rodentia, class Mammalia, phylum Chordata, and kingdom Animalia. The was established based on the Dipus mitchellii Ogilby, 1838 (now synonymized as Notomys mitchellii), a monotypic designation reflecting its initial description from Australian specimens. The comprises five extant species, all endemic to and adapted to arid and semi-arid regions. These include Notomys alexis (), named for its close association with spinifex-dominated habitats; Notomys aquilo (northern hopping mouse); Notomys cervinus (fawn hopping mouse); Notomys fuscus (dusky hopping mouse); and Notomys mitchellii (Mitchell's hopping mouse), the largest living member honoring the explorer Thomas Mitchell. Six species are recognized as extinct, primarily due to post-European settlement impacts, with fossils and subfossils providing evidence of their former distributions across central and southern Australia. These are Notomys amplus (short-tailed hopping mouse), Notomys longicaudatus (long-tailed hopping mouse, last recorded in 1901), Notomys macrotis (big-eared hopping mouse, last recorded in 1843), Notomys magnus (giant hopping mouse), Notomys mordax (Darling Downs hopping mouse), and Notomys robustus (broad-cheeked hopping mouse). The evolutionary origins of Notomys trace to a single over-water colonization of Hydromyini rodents from Asia to proto-New Guinea approximately 8.5 million years ago, followed by dispersal to Australia around 5 million years ago during the Pliocene, coinciding with tectonic uplift that facilitated adaptation to increasingly arid continental environments.
Extant SpeciesCommon NameKey Habitat Association
N. alexisSpinifex hopping mouseArid spinifex grasslands
N. aquiloNorthern hopping mouseTropical savannas
N. cervinusFawn hopping mouseOpen woodlands and grasslands
N. fuscusDusky hopping mouseCoastal dunes and scrublands
N. mitchelliiMitchell's hopping mouseSemi-arid shrublands
Extinct SpeciesCommon NameApproximate Last Record
N. amplusShort-tailed hopping mouseLate 19th century
N. longicaudatusLong-tailed hopping mouse1901
N. macrotisBig-eared hopping mouse1843
N. magnusGiant hopping mousePrehistoric (fossil only)
N. mordaxDarling Downs hopping mouseMid-19th century
N. robustusBroad-cheeked hopping mouseca. 1930s (subfossil)

Fossil record and extinction

The genus Notomys belongs to the tribe Hydromyini within the subfamily , with molecular phylogenetic analyses estimating the divergence of Australian Hydromyini from other lineages around 6.5 million years ago (95% highest posterior density interval: 4.3–9.1 Ma), likely coinciding with the arrival of rodents in during the to early . This timeline aligns with broader patterns of colonization in , where early members of the group exhibited adaptations for arid environments, including elongated hindlimbs indicative of bipedal hopping. evidence for Notomys specifically is predominantly from late deposits, with key sites in such as the preserving remains that demonstrate morphological continuity in bipedal traits, such as enlarged hind feet and reduced forelimbs, from prehistoric populations. These s, often recovered from owl pellets and sediments, date primarily to the and , spanning approximately 50,000 to a few thousand years ago, and highlight the genus's long association with desert ecosystems prior to recent declines. Prehistoric Notomys species exhibited greater size diversity than extant forms, with several extinct taxa representing the larger end of the spectrum. The short-tailed hopping mouse (N. amplus), the largest known species, had an estimated body mass of around 100 g and a total length reaching up to 40 cm, based on subfossil cranial and postcranial material from arid inland sites. Similarly, the recently described N. magnus from late Quaternary cave deposits in northeastern Queensland featured notably larger skulls, with upper molar row lengths exceeding those of other extinct congeners like N. macrotis (approximately 5.5–6 mm versus 4.8–5.2 mm), suggesting a body mass of about 83 g and adaptations for processing tougher vegetation in open woodlands. These morphological differences, including broader zygomatic arches and more robust dentition in species like N. magnus, reflect evolutionary responses to varying resource availability in prehistoric Australian landscapes, contrasting with the smaller, more specialized forms surviving today. Of the eleven recognized Notomys species (following the description of N. magnus in 2023), five became extinct following European colonization of in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with declines accelerated by from and , as well as predation by introduced foxes (Vulpes vulpes) and cats (Felis catus). Larger-bodied species were disproportionately affected, including N. amplus (last recorded in 1896 from ), N. longicaudatus (last recorded in 1901), N. macrotis (last collected in 1843 near the ), N. mordax (extinct by the mid-19th century on the , ), and N. robustus (known only from subfossils in owl pellets, with the latest deposits indicating persistence until the 1930s in the ). These extinctions occurred rapidly post-1788, with subfossil evidence from sites like caves and dune systems showing abrupt local disappearances tied to altered fire regimes and invasive predator establishment, underscoring the vulnerability of arid-adapted to anthropogenic pressures.

Description

Physical features

Hopping mice, belonging to the genus Notomys, are small rodents characterized by a head-body length of 8 to 15 cm and a tail measuring 10 to 20 cm, with adults typically weighing between 20 and 50 g. For instance, the spinifex hopping mouse (N. alexis) averages around 30 g, while the dusky hopping mouse (N. fuscus) can reach up to 50 g. Their fur is generally brown to fawn on the upper body and pale grey to white on the underparts, providing camouflage in arid environments. Key anatomical features include a long, tufted tail that aids in balance, enlarged hind legs, and elongated feet measuring 4 to 5 cm in length with padded soles featuring three to four pads. Most species possess a throat pouch for food storage. The forelimbs are reduced in size relative to the hind limbs, and the animals possess large eyes and prominent ears adapted to nocturnal conditions. Their dental formula is 1/1, 0/0, 0/0, 3/3, typical of murid rodents, with strong incisors suited for gnawing. Sexual dimorphism is evident in some species, where females are slightly larger than males; for example, in the northern hopping mouse (N. aquilo), females exhibit greater body mass. Across species, variations occur in size and coloration: N. mitchellii is the largest extant species at approximately 45 g on average (up to 60 g), while N. alexis is the most widespread, featuring sandy-toned fur for blending with desert substrates.

Physiological adaptations

Hopping mice of the genus Notomys, particularly the (N. alexis), possess specialized that enables exceptional in arid conditions. Their kidneys produce with osmolalities up to 9370 mOsm/L under water deprivation, far exceeding the maximum of approximately 1200 mOsm/L and allowing near-complete of from filtrate. This hyperconcentrated , achieved through elongated loops of Henle and enhanced medullary thickness, permits survival without free intake, as metabolic from oxidized seeds suffices for hydration needs. Additionally, nasal passages feature countercurrent heat exchange mechanisms that cool exhaled air, minimizing evaporative loss during panting or normal breathing. Thermoregulatory adaptations in hopping mice prioritize energy efficiency and management to endure extremes. Their is approximately 60-70% of the value predicted by allometric scaling for body size, reducing overall production and associated demands for evaporative cooling. To cope with diurnal or nocturnal cold, they routinely enter states, lowering body to near ambient levels and metabolic rate substantially, which conserves both and during periods of environmental stress. Dense provides effective insulation against conductive loss, while small ear size limits surface area for radiative gain; subtle vascular adjustments in peripheral tissues further facilitate controlled dissipation when necessary. Sensory systems in hopping mice are finely tuned for nocturnal life in open deserts, emphasizing detection of predators amid low visibility. Olfaction is highly developed, with an enlarged and numerous vomeronasal receptors enabling precise tracking of food scents and conspecific cues over distances, crucial for foraging on scattered seeds. Hearing acuity extends to low-frequency sounds, allowing early detection of approaching threats like or snakes through ground vibrations and aerial cues, supported by sensitive tympanic membranes. Visual adaptations include large eyes relative to skull size, providing enhanced acuity in dim light via a high rod-to-cone ratio in the , which aids navigation and predator avoidance during crepuscular activity. Locomotor supports efficient saltatorial movement, with muscles optimized for explosive power. This , combined with elastic tendons that store and release energy, enables long jumps relative to body size, facilitating escape from predators across uneven terrain with minimal energetic cost per stride.

Distribution and habitat

Geographic range

Hopping mice of the Notomys are endemic to and are primarily distributed across the country's arid and semi-arid zones, spanning from the western deserts to the eastern inland regions. The occupies a broad expanse that includes the in , the Strzelecki Desert in , the Northern Territory's central areas, and extending northward to . No populations exist outside of , as the is native exclusively to the continent. Species-specific distributions vary within this overall range, reflecting adaptations to local conditions. The spinifex hopping mouse (N. alexis) is the most widespread, occurring across central and western arid zones, including the sandy soils of the in and extending into the and . In contrast, the northern hopping mouse (N. aquilo) is restricted to the monsoonal tropics of , primarily on in the , with historical records from and far northern (though unconfirmed in recent decades). The fawn hopping mouse (N. cervinus) inhabits the bioregion, primarily in northeastern and southwestern within the . The dusky hopping mouse (N. fuscus) is found in sandy dune systems of northeastern , from Ooldea in the west, across areas around , and into southwestern , including the Strzelecki Desert. Mitchell's hopping mouse (N. mitchellii) ranges across semi-arid southern Australia, from the southwest coast of through into and Victoria. Compared to historical distributions, current ranges for several species have contracted due to habitat loss and other pressures. For instance, the dusky hopping mouse (N. fuscus) has experienced a significant reduction, with its pre-European range across the sandy deserts of the now limited to fragmented patches representing a fraction of its former extent—estimated at about 10% in some assessments—primarily in northern and adjacent areas. Recent conservation efforts, including reintroductions to Sturt National Park in as of 2024, aim to restore populations beyond remnant areas. Overall, hopping mice exhibit patchy and less continuous distributions today than indicated by older records, though the (N. alexis) remains relatively abundant in its core desert habitats. Hopping mice do not undertake long-distance migrations and are generally sedentary, maintaining stable burrow systems within their territories. However, they exhibit local movements, sometimes up to several kilometers, in response to rainfall events that trigger increased and dispersal opportunities.

Habitat preferences

Hopping mice of the genus Notomys primarily inhabit arid and semi-arid regions of , favoring sandy deserts, dunes, and gibber plains where soft substrates allow for ing. These environments often feature hummock grasslands dominated by spinifex (Triodia spp.) for species like N. alexis, or mallee shrublands and lightly wooded areas for others, with burrows typically constructed in loose sands under shrubs such as species. They avoid rocky outcrops and prefer areas with some vegetation cover to support burrow stability. Microhabitat use centers on complex burrow systems, which can extend up to 2 m deep with multiple chambers for nesting, , and waste, connected by tunnels and surface runways for . Entrance holes are often backfilled to deter predators, and burrows provide a humid refuge, with systems sometimes clustering to form colonies. N. alexis favors open sand and spinifex hummocks on dune crests, while N. fuscus selects consolidated sand dunes with canegrass (Zygochloa paradoxa) or nitre bush ( billardierei), and N. aquilo prefers open eucalypt woodlands on sandy substrates in tropical savannas. These tolerate extreme with annual rainfall typically below 250 mm, relying on ephemeral flushes following rare rains for population booms, and exhibit physiological adaptations for through burrowing. Temperature ranges in their habitats span from -5°C in winter nights to 45°C in summer days. Interspecific variations reflect ecological niches: N. alexis thrives in open spinifex deserts of , N. fuscus in mallee-dominated sand ridges of southern deserts, and N. aquilo in tropical sandy grasslands of northern .

Behavior and ecology

Activity patterns and locomotion

Hopping mice are strictly nocturnal, emerging from their burrows at dusk to and becoming active throughout the night to minimize water loss through in arid environments. During the day, they retreat to burrows where they often enter a state of , a low-metabolism rest that conserves energy and during hot periods; this pattern is observed across species, with some like the Mitchell's hopping mouse (Notomys mitchellii) exhibiting heightened torpor use following environmental stressors such as fire. Activity is generally year-round in stable habitats, though seasonal reductions occur in response to resource scarcity in more variable arid zones. Locomotion in hopping mice is predominantly saltatorial, relying on bipedal hopping with elongated hind legs for efficient travel across open sandy terrains, achieving steady speeds of 2.5–5 km/h during sustained movement. The long, tufted tail provides propulsion during jumps and balance at slower paces, while forelimbs remain tucked; at low speeds, they switch to quadrupedal walking for precise navigation. Jump distances enable rapid coverage of ground despite their small size (20–60 g across ). This bipedal , one of seven recorded modes, is energetically efficient for short-distance evasion and in sparse . Socially, hopping mice are often solitary foragers but form small groups of 2–5 individuals that share systems for and protection, emerging together at night. Territorial boundaries are maintained through scent marking via specialized and chest glands, which deposit odors on entrances and paths to signal and deter intruders. Burrowing is a key behavior, with rapid excavation observed in like the northern hopping mouse (Notomys aquilo), where camera traps have captured individuals digging new vertical shafts during nighttime hours to access cooler soil layers. To evade predators such as foxes and cats, hopping mice employ anti-predator tactics including initial freezing to avoid detection, followed by explosive zig-zag hops that exploit the unpredictability of their trajectory for escape. These maneuvers leverage their saltatorial for quick acceleration over short distances, often directing toward cover like spinifex hummocks, reducing capture success by introduced predators in open habitats.

Diet and foraging

Hopping mice are primarily granivorous, with seeds forming the majority of their diet, typically comprising 50-80% of intake depending on the species and season, particularly those from grasses like spinifex (Triodia spp.). For instance, in the (Notomys alexis), seeds dominate during summer and winter, supplemented by that can account for up to 50% of the diet in autumn, along with occasional material and fungi. The dusky hopping mouse (Notomys fuscus) shows a similar pattern but incorporates more foliage, with seeds making up about 74% of its intake and plants around 13%. These rodents obtain nearly all their required moisture from their food sources, enabling survival without free-standing water, a key adaptation to arid environments. Their digestive systems are efficient at processing seeds, extracting high energy from dry matter while minimizing water loss through concentrated urine and fecal output. Seasonal shifts occur, with increased consumption of insects and green vegetation during wet periods following rainfall, providing additional protein and hydration. Foraging occurs nocturnally on the surface to avoid daytime heat and predation, typically within 100-500 meters of burrow systems, allowing quick returns to safety. They employ scatter-hoarding strategies, burying small caches of seeds near foraging sites or transporting them back to burrows for storage, which helps sustain them through resource-scarce dry periods. Selective feeding favors high-energy seeds, enhancing nutritional efficiency in unpredictable desert conditions. Interspecies variations reflect habitat differences; N. alexis, common in vast expanses, relies heavily on granivory with opportunistic insectivory, while N. fuscus in sandier, vegetated dunes includes more foliage in its diet.

Reproduction and life cycle

Hopping mice exhibit opportunistic breeding patterns, with reproduction occurring year-round but intensifying following rainfall events that enhance resource availability. In species such as Notomys alexis, pregnant females are observed primarily after significant , such as over 50 mm of rain, leading to increased litter production during post-flood periods. typically lasts 32 days in non-lactating females, extending to 39-46 days when females are simultaneously suckling young. Litter sizes average around 4 young, though they can range from 3 to 6 depending on maternal condition and species, with higher survival rates for litters of 4. The life cycle of hopping mice is adapted to arid unpredictability, with reached relatively early to capitalize on transient favorable conditions. Females typically attain reproductive maturity at 60-75 days, while males do so around 75-90 days across like N. alexis and N. mitchellii. In the wild, lifespan is short, often 1-2 years, though captive individuals can live up to 6 years; females may produce multiple litters per year under optimal conditions. There are no fixed breeding seasons, but in N. aquilo, the greatest influx of juveniles into populations occurs early in the (June-July), reflecting lagged responses to prior wet periods. Young hopping mice are altricial, born hairless and blind in deep nests, where they remain dependent on maternal care. Pups attach to the mother's four teats during early but are periodically left in the nest while the female , unlike continuous attachment in some . occurs at approximately 3-4 weeks, after which juveniles emerge and begin independent . Limited evidence suggests males may provide indirect assistance in nest defense in some species, though primary care is maternal. Population dynamics in hopping mice are characterized by high during resource booms following rain, enabling rapid population increases, but breeding is density-dependent, with suppressed at high densities to mitigate . This strategy supports boom-bust cycles typical of arid-adapted , where females can produce up to 9 litters over their lifetime in favorable years.

Conservation

Status of species

The five extant species of hopping mice in the genus Notomys have diverse conservation statuses on the , reflecting varying degrees of vulnerability across their arid Australian habitats. The spinifex hopping mouse (N. alexis) and Mitchell's hopping mouse (N. mitchellii) are classified as Least Concern, owing to their widespread distributions and relatively stable populations across central and . In contrast, the northern hopping mouse (N. aquilo) is Endangered, with ongoing population declines driven by in northern Australia's monsoonal tropics. The fawn hopping mouse (N. cervinus) is Near Threatened, having undergone significant range contractions and now primarily restricted to protected areas within the . Under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), the dusky (N. fuscus), fawn (N. cervinus), and northern (N. aquilo) hopping mice are listed as Vulnerable. The dusky hopping mouse (N. fuscus) was downlisted from Vulnerable to Near Threatened in the 2025 IUCN assessment (version 2025-1), based on evidence of population stability in core dune habitats of South Australia's Strzelecki Desert, though its overall numbers remain low at an estimated 2,500–10,000 individuals. N. alexis is abundant across its extensive range, while N. fuscus has a small total population in fragmented subpopulations. Since the , populations of at least half the extant —including N. fuscus and N. cervinus—have declined due to historical range reductions exceeding 50% in some cases. Recent monitoring efforts, such as 2024–2025 tree-mounted trap surveys in , recorded 43 captures of N. alexis and N. mitchellii (including multiple individuals per trap), indicating locally high abundances in spinifex-dominated areas during resource-scarce periods. For threatened taxa like N. fuscus, low in isolated populations heightens extinction risk by reducing adaptive capacity to environmental stressors. These assessments underscore the precarious status of the genus, with three of five species now categorized as threatened or near-threatened.

Threats

Hopping mice populations across various species face severe threats from introduced predators, particularly feral cats (Felis catus) and European red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), which have become widespread in since their introduction in the 19th century. These predators exert high predation pressure on small mammals, with exclusion experiments demonstrating that removing cats and foxes leads to dramatic increases in hopping mouse abundances, indicating that predation is a key limiting factor for their persistence in arid environments. For instance, in the Arid Recovery Reserve, feral predator exclusion resulted in hopping mouse captures rising significantly within years, underscoring their vulnerability to these invasive hunters. Additionally, introduced European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) compete directly with hopping mice for sites and food resources, exacerbating resource scarcity in shared habitats. Habitat degradation poses another major risk, primarily through by introduced such as (Bos taurus) and feral camels (Camelus dromedarius), which trample and consume spinifex grasses (Triodia spp.), the dominant vegetation in hopping mouse habitats. This grazing pressure reduces ground cover and seed availability, fragmenting suitable dune and swale environments essential for burrowing and foraging. Pastoral activities have also altered traditional fire regimes in arid regions, leading to more frequent or intense fires that destroy spinifex hummocks and disrupt the mosaic landscapes hopping mice rely on for refuge. Climate variability, intensified by broader environmental changes, further threatens hopping mice through increased frequency and severity of droughts, which diminish seed production—their primary food source—and prolong periods of low , heightening extinction risks. In arid , irregular rainfall patterns directly influence resource availability, with studies showing hopping mouse populations are more strongly limited by climatic factors like prolonged dry spells than by human activities alone. Other ecological pressures include diseases potentially transmitted from introduced species, such as Tyzzer's disease caused by Clostridium piliforme, which has been documented in outbreaks among spinifex hopping mice (Notomys alexis) and can lead to high mortality in susceptible populations.

Conservation measures

Conservation measures for hopping mice focus on habitat protection, invasive species management, and targeted research to support population recovery across species like the northern (Notomys aquilo), dusky (Notomys fuscus), fawn (Notomys cervinus), and spinifex (Notomys alexis) hopping mice. Protected areas play a central role, with reserves such as the Arid Recovery Reserve in South Australia providing feral-proof enclosures that exclude cats, foxes, and rabbits, allowing native small mammals including the spinifex hopping mouse to thrive. Similarly, Australian Wildlife Conservancy sanctuaries like Scotia and Kalamurina in New South Wales and South Australia safeguard dusky hopping mouse populations through fenced predator-free zones. Bush Heritage Australia manages multiple reserves in central Australia where hopping mice are protected from grazing pressures by removing livestock, rabbits, and camels. Predator control programs are essential to mitigate threats from introduced cats and foxes, which suppress hopping mouse populations even during rainfall-induced booms. In the Arid Recovery Reserve, exclusion fencing and targeted removals have led to abundances increasing up to 33-fold compared to adjacent areas, with individuals expanding into previously unused habitats after a 5-year lag. Bush Heritage implements baiting and for foxes and cats across its properties to reduce predation on hopping mice. eradication efforts, including removal from reserves, further alleviate competition and overgrazing that degrade spinifex habitats critical for shelter. Monitoring and research initiatives employ non-invasive techniques to track distributions and health. Camera traps are widely used, such as in ongoing surveys at Australian Wildlife Conservancy sites for the dusky hopping mouse, enabling genetic sampling to confirm population viability. For the northern hopping mouse, a 2024–2026 project on involves camera traps, aerial surveys, and genetic analysis in collaboration with Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers to establish population baselines and assess burrowing sites amid threats like altered fire regimes. Captive breeding trials for the dusky hopping mouse, initiated in the late 20th century, have demonstrated successful reproduction with litters averaging 2.7 young, informing potential reintroduction strategies. Habitat restoration emphasizes fire management to replicate natural regimes and preserve spinifex grasslands. Bush Heritage applies controlled burns to prevent large wildfires, maintaining mature hummock grasses essential for hopping mouse foraging and burrowing. Cool patchwork burning has shown neutral to positive effects on numbers by promoting habitat heterogeneity. Community engagement, including partnerships with Traditional Owners, integrates Indigenous into monitoring and fire practices on .

References

  1. https://www.bushheritage.org.au/species/hopping-mice
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  6. https://small-mammals.org/2025/03/27/red-list-update-2025-1/
  7. https://threatenedspecies.bionet.nsw.gov.au/profile.aspx?id=20202
  8. https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/Notomys
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  22. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1095643307007775
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