The Southern Pygmy Mouse is one of the smallest rodents in the Americas, barely larger than some large beetles. It lives in a restricted area of mountain forest in Guatemala and neighbouring Mexican states, where it moves through dense grass and leaf litter, practically invisible to any observer. It belongs to a genus of pygmy mice exclusive to Central America and Mexico. Its small body size is associated with a very high metabolic rate, requiring almost constant feeding. The restricted distribution of the Southern Pygmy Mouse and the scarcity of specific studies on the species contrast with the relative abundance of other, more widely distributed species in the same genus.
A tiny rodent, one of the smallest in America, with uniform dark brown fur, small ears, and a tail short in proportion to its body. It differs from other species of the same genus by its darker colouring and its distribution, which is restricted to mountain areas of Guatemala and neighbouring regions. Visually, it is very difficult to distinguish from other pygmy mice without cranial examination.
Tiny track with 4 fore toes and 5 hind toes, the hind track barely 1 cm long. It is practically impossible to identify reliably in the field against other small mice in the same area. Tiny droppings, 2-3 mm long, left scattered among the dense vegetation where it lives. The presence of the Southern Pygmy Mouse is almost always confirmed by trapping, as neither its tracks nor its droppings allow reliable species-level identification without direct capture.
Mountain forest with dense grassy undergrowth, generally at medium and high altitudes. Distributed across a restricted area of Guatemala and neighbouring regions of Mexico.
Herbivorous and granivorous, it feeds on seeds, tender grass and occasional insects.
Solitary or in small family groups. Its activity can be diurnal or nocturnal, depending on food availability and predation pressure. Like other very small rodents, it has a high metabolism that requires frequent feeding.
Its populations are generally considered stable within its restricted home range, although the scarcity of studies makes a precise assessment of its trends difficult.
Deforestation and transformation of mountain forest due to agricultural and livestock expansion in its restricted range.
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