Egyptian spiny mouse

The Cairo spiny mouse, also known as the common spiny mouse, Egyptian spiny mouse, or Arabian spiny mouse, is a captivating nocturnal rodent native to Africa, particularly north of the Sahara. It thrives in rocky areas and arid deserts, where it feeds on seeds, desert plants, snails, and insects. This social animal lives in small family groups and possesses some unique physical characteristics, including sandy-brown or greyish-brown fur, a line of spine-like bristles along its back, and a slender snout.

You can find the Cairo spiny mouse from Mauritania to Egypt, at altitudes up to approximately 1,500 meters. It prefers dry, stony habitats with sparse vegetation and is often observed near human settlements, cliffs, canyons, and gravelly plains. These mice primarily breed during the rainy season, from September to April, with a gestation period of five to six weeks. The young are born well-developed, with fur and opened eyes. Adults collectively care for the offspring, and females can have multiple litters each year.

Cairo spiny mice make their homes in burrows or rock crevices. While they primarily remain on the ground, they can also climb low bushes. They are omnivorous, consuming a varied diet that includes seeds, nuts, fruit, leaves, insects, spiders, mollusks, and even carrion. When living near humans, they might also consume crops and stored food. Interestingly, these mice host the intestinal parasite Moniliformis acomysi.

Due to its wide distribution, diverse habitats, and large population, the Cairo spiny mouse is listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List. This species has fascinated researchers for various studies, including those on diabetes, development, regeneration, and menstruation. Recent studies have indicated that the Cairo spiny mouse may become a valuable animal model for the human menstrual cycle due to its unique 9-day cycle, making it the first rodent known to exhibit such a pattern. Ongoing gene sequencing aims to uncover more about the distinctive physiological traits of this remarkable rodent.