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Did you know how the yellow-necked rat cleverly chooses its habitat and food storage?
The yellow-necked rat (Apodemus flavicollis) is a mammal that lives in Europe and Western Asia. It was long confused with the tree rat and was not recognized as an independent species until 1894. The rodent is known for its yellow fur on its neck, and its generally larger ears and body.
The oval-shaped ears and yellow-haired neck are distinguishing features that identify this species, making them relatively outstanding in the forest.
With a body length of about 100 mm, the yellow-necked rat can easily climb trees and even overwinter in houses during cold winters. They are mainly found in the mountainous areas of southern Europe, but their habitat also extends into Scandinavia and parts of the UK.
Habitat and distribution
Yellow-necked rats prefer mature hardwood forests, especially where there are large numbers of nut trees such as oak and hazel. They are often found on the edges of trees or in small bushes, and like to be found in orchards and plantations. These characteristics make them important members of the ecosystem, helping to spread seeds.
In its habitat, yellow-necked mice hide food, such as acorns and hazelnuts, that help plants spread and thrive over time.
Food storage behavior
Yellow-necked rats do not hibernate, but are active year-round and often congregate with other individuals to stay warm. They are adept at climbing, moving freely among trees and shrubs, and finding habitat in caves at the base of trees, holes in tree trunks, hollow trunks, and bird nests.
When yellow-necked rats store food, they dig intricate nests above the soil surface and are wary of predators approaching. In multiple food caches, they store food in cavities in trees, and these trees serve as their "food caches" for emergencies. This demonstrates the adaptability and intelligence of the yellow-necked rat.
Through this strategy, the yellow-necked rat can not only effectively protect its food resources, but also properly utilize them when needed in the future.
Reproduction and social behavior
The breeding season extends from February to October with very short intervals. The female can mate again while feeding her young, which makes the yellow-necked rat extremely capable of reproducing. Each litter can give birth to two to eleven pups, which are born in a nest made of dry plant material. The pups begin to open their eyes after about two weeks and are weaned after about eighteen days.
Ecological impact
Yellow-necked rats are prey to many natural predators, including owls, foxes and stoats, and they jump to escape attack. It is worth noting that when caught, the tail of the yellow-necked rat will easily fall off due to muscle contraction to escape the pursuit of the predator.
In addition, the yellow-necked rat plays a dual role in spreading disease, as it can carry viruses but is immune to them. They are one of the natural hosts of Dobara virus, which causes hemorrhagic fever renal syndrome in humans.
Research shows that these small creatures are not only part of the small food chain in the ecosystem, but also a potential driver of the spread of large-scale diseases.
Survival status
Yellow-necked rats are generally well distributed in suitable habitats and their numbers are stable. According to reports, densities in Eastern Europe can reach a hundred birds per hectare. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assesses the yellow-necked rat as a species of "least concern", meaning that there are no special threats to its current status in nature.
So, can these small and exquisite yellow-necked rats once again attract our deep thoughts and concerns about ecological environmental protection and the risk of spreading diseases?
