Andean mountain cavy

{{Short description|Species of rodent}} {{Speciesbox | name = Andean mountain cavy | image = | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 11 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Bernal, N. |author2=Dunnum, J. |date=2016 |title=''Microcavia niata'' |volume=2016 |article-number=e.T13320A22189752 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T13320A22189752.en |access-date=11 November 2021}}</ref> | taxon = Microcavia niata | authority = (Thomas, 1898) | synonyms = }}

The '''Andean mountain cavy''' ('''''Microcavia niata''''') is a species of rodent in the family Caviidae. It is found in Bolivia, Chile and Peru.

== Feeding == The Andean mountain cavy's diet consists of herbs typically of the genus Eleocharis, Distichlis, Verbena, and Deyeuxia, which are common in bog areas, which suggest that this species of Microcavia only live in bog areas.<ref>Marquet, P., Contreras, L., Silva, S., Torres-Mura, J., & Bozinovic, F. (1993). Natural History of Microcavia niata in the High Andean Zone of Northern Chile. Journal of Mammalogy, 74(1), 136-140. doi:10.2307/1381912</ref>

== Characteristics == The Andean mountain cavy is usually seen with fur described as pale and soft, with yellow undertones. The dorsal hairs are multicoloured with a grey base, a dark grey middle and yellow tip. The back hairs are measured around 16-18mm and the animals cheeks, throat and belly are white with a grey base.<ref>Zeballos, H., Par, A., Pino, K., Medina, C. E., Cordova, J., & Quispe, R. (n.d.). First record of the Andean-mountain cavy Microcavia niata (Caviidae, Rodentia) from Peru. Gayana (Concepción), 82(1), 85–89. doi: 10.4067/S0717-65382018000100085</ref>

==References== {{Portal|Andes}} {{Reflist}}

Category:Cavies Category:Mammals of the Andes Category:Mammals of Bolivia Category:Mammals of Chile Category:Mammals described in 1898 Category:Taxa named by Oldfield Thomas Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot