Identification
Size: A medium-sized, stout rodent with a head-body length of 130-180mm. The tail is relatively thick and shorter than the body, measuring 95-125mm.
Color: The fur is very long, soft, and dense, providing excellent insulation. The dorsal (upper) colour is a rich, dark grey-brown to olive-brown. The ventral (under) fur is paler, usually grey, sometimes with a fawn wash. The feet are dark brown.
Biology & Lifecycle
They have a low reproductive rate compared to other rodents. Breeding is restricted to the short alpine summer, and they produce only one or two small litters per year. This slow breeding makes their populations very slow to recover from disasters like fire.
Lifecycle Details
Lifespan in the wild is thought to be around 2-3 years. Adults are largely herbivorous and maintain a territory connected by their distinctive runways. Their entire life is a struggle against the cold, predation, and finding enough low-nutrient food.
Habitat & Distribution
- Alpine and sub-alpine heathlands, grasslands, and sedgelands above 900 metres.
- Wet, boggy areas and the margins of streams and swamps with dense ground cover.
- Some populations exist at lower altitudes in cool, wet environments like the Otway Ranges in Victoria.
- The absolute requirement is a thick, continuous ground layer of vegetation for cover and food.
Distribution Patterns
Found in fragmented, high-altitude populations in New South Wales (Snowy Mountains), Victoria (Victorian Alps, Otway Ranges), and Tasmania.
Behavior & Diet
Active both day and night (diurnal and nocturnal), with peaks of activity at dawn and dusk (crepuscular). Their constant need to consume large amounts of low-nutrient food means they must forage frequently.
Dietary Preferences
A specialist herbivore.
Health Risks
Always consult healthcare professionals for medical concerns related to pest exposure.
- None. It has no contact with human populations and is not a vector for human diseases.
Economic Impact
Professional Treatment: $0. Control is illegal.
Prevention Costs: $0.
DIY Treatment: $0.
Structural Damage: None.
Food Contamination: None.
Equipment Damage: None.
Restaurant Issues: None.
Retail Impact: None.
Reputation Damage: None.
Detection & Signs
- Its specific alpine or cool, wet habitat.
- The presence of distinctive, well-defined 'runways' through dense grass and heath.
- A stout, chunky body with a broad, flat face and dense, dark fur.
- A tail that is shorter than its body.
- Piles of neatly clipped grass stems left along its runways.
Prevention
- Not applicable. The focus is on conservation.
- Not applicable.
- To protect this species, the key is habitat preservation. This includes preventing the clearing of native alpine vegetation, controlling erosion, and excluding feral herbivores like horses and deer that trample and graze its habitat.
Control Methods
Chemical Control: Illegal and inappropriate. This is a protected vulnerable species.
Physical Control: Not applicable.
Integrated Approach: The only integrated approach is a conservation management plan, focusing on habitat protection, predator control, and sometimes captive breeding and translocation programs.
Mechanical Control: Not applicable.
Natural Remedies: None needed.
Professional Services
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Browse All ProvidersSeasonal Patterns
As snow melts, they become more active on the surface, repairing runways and beginning to feed on fresh growth.
The peak breeding season. They are actively foraging and raising young.
Breeding ceases. They focus on feeding to build up fat reserves for the coming winter.
Remain active, living and foraging in runways in the subnivean space beneath the insulating snowpack.
Restricted to the short alpine summer (approx. December-March).
Legal Considerations
Professional pest control operators must be licensed and comply with relevant regulations regarding mouse control treatments.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is it called the Broad-toothed Mouse?
The Broad-toothed Mouse gets its name from its most defining anatomical feature: its molar teeth are exceptionally broad and large compared to those of other rodents. This is a direct adaptation to its highly specialised diet. The grasses, sedges, and rushes that it eats are very tough and fibrous, and contain high levels of silica, which is abrasive and wears down teeth quickly. To cope with this, the mouse evolved very wide, high-crowned molars that provide a large surface area for grinding this tough vegetation, much like the teeth of larger herbivores like cows or sheep. This dental structure is so unique that it is the primary feature used by scientists to identify the species from skeletal remains. Its broad face and powerful chewing muscles are also a result of accommodating these impressive teeth.
Is the Broad-toothed Mouse a pest?
No, the Broad-toothed Mouse is the opposite of a pest. It is a protected native species listed as **Vulnerable** to extinction. It lives only in specific, remote alpine and sub-alpine habitats, far from human homes and agriculture, so it never comes into conflict with people. It poses no health risks and causes no economic damage. Its presence is a positive sign of a healthy, functioning alpine ecosystem. The primary concern for this species is not control, but conservation. It is illegal to harm or interfere with the Broad-toothed Mouse or its habitat. Any management actions involving this species are focused on protecting it from threats like habitat destruction and introduced predators.
What are the 'runways' this mouse makes?
The runways of the Broad-toothed Mouse are one of the most reliable signs of its presence. Because it lives in incredibly dense tussock grasslands and heathlands, moving around on the surface would be slow and expose it to predators like owls and hawks. To navigate its world safely and efficiently, it creates a network of semi-tunnels or runways at the base of the vegetation. It meticulously clips the grass and stems to form clear paths, about 5-10cm wide. These runways connect its nest to its favourite feeding areas. The mouse spends most of its life within this sheltered network, hidden from above. A key sign that a runway belongs to a Broad-toothed Mouse is the presence of small piles of neatly chopped green grass stems, which are the leftovers from its meals. In winter, these runways exist in the subnivean space under the snow.
Why is the Broad-toothed Mouse a vulnerable species?
The Broad-toothed Mouse is listed as vulnerable because its populations are small, highly fragmented, and facing multiple serious threats. Its specialised alpine habitat is naturally limited, and these areas have been heavily impacted by human activity. Widespread and intense bushfires, such as the 2019-20 fires, can wipe out entire populations as there is nowhere for the mice to escape. Habitat is also degraded and trampled by introduced feral herbivores like horses, deer, and pigs. Furthermore, the mouse is extremely vulnerable to predation by the introduced fox and feral cat. Finally, climate change poses a grave long-term threat. As temperatures rise, the alpine zone shrinks, snow cover becomes less reliable, and vegetation patterns change, putting the survival of this cold-adapted specialist in serious jeopardy. Its slow reproductive rate means it cannot easily recover from these pressures.
Do Broad-toothed Mice hibernate in winter?
No, Broad-toothed Mice do not hibernate. They have adapted to remain active throughout the harsh alpine winter. They achieve this by taking advantage of the insulating properties of snow. The snowpack creates a protected layer over their habitat, and the space between the ground and the bottom of the snow is called the 'subnivean' space. The temperature in this space is stable and often stays around 0°C, even when the air temperature above is much colder. The mice live and forage within their runway network in this subnivean world, protected from the biting wind and from aerial predators. They continue to feed on the bases of snow grass stems and other vegetation they can access under the snow. This ability to survive an active winter under the snow is a key adaptation for this remarkable alpine species.
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