Cairo spiny mouse

The Cairo spiny mouse, also known as the African spiny mouse, is a rodent characterized by its stiff, spiny hairs. These mice have large eyes and ears, and their tails are scaly, brittle, and shorter than their bodies. They are found across Africa and parts of Asia, inhabiting deserts, savannas, and dry woodlands, often living in rock crevices or burrows.1

These mice are omnivorous, with plant matter forming the main part of their diet. Some species are known to eat dates, and in Egypt, the Cairo spiny mouse has been observed consuming dried flesh and bone marrow from mummies. While most spiny mice are nocturnal, the golden spiny mouse is diurnal and shares habitats with the Cairo spiny mouse, utilizing the same food resources at different times. Some species exhibit a unique defense mechanism where they can shed patches of skin to escape predators, with wounds healing rapidly.1