Carnivorous Howling Werewolf Mouse Among 7 Elusive Species Found in Kansas on Wildlife Survey

During their wildlife survey, scientists discovered a carnivorous howling werewolf mouse in Kansas along with seven other unusual species.

In a recent study, biologists with the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks uncovered some unexpected findings, including what they call "a furry killing machine" with a sinister howl.

Members of a Terrestrial Survey Crew were working on various amphibian, reptile, and small mammal communities in the Red Hills in south-central Kansas, according to KDWP spokesperson Nadia Marji via KSNT.

Warm Weather Permits Survey

The presence of the grasshopper mouse as well as the spotted ground squirrel, two tiny mammal species with distinct characteristics, was observed by the scientists owing to the dry circumstances during the study.

According to Mark VanScoyoc, the KDWP Biodiversity Survey Coordinator, both species have distinctive traits that set them apart from other rodent species.

The spotted ground squirrel, one of the tiniest kinds of squirrels to be found in the US, prefers to dig underground. Their enormous tunnel systems provide food storage facilities for later hibernation.

According to VanScoyoc, the KDWP's goal is to understand the status of Kansas' native species and the circumstances of their environment.

These surveys can be extremely difficult for biologists since some of the species being examined may be elusive because of their speed or propensity for burrowing. If scientists want to locate the species they are seeking, survey work requires more consideration on their part.

Grasshopper Mouse, Werewolf Mouse

According to VanScoyoc, the Red Hills region is often home to the grasshopper mouse. Although it has an adorable appearance; this mouse is distinct from other mice because of its carnivorous nature.

These mice are nocturnal, hiding during the day to avoid the heat and predators and hunting at night. They mostly consume beetles, grasshoppers, and crickets. According to World Atlas, they also kill and consume centipedes, scorpions, lizards, and other rodents like voles when they have the chance. They also frequently make high-pitched barking or howling noises, earning the moniker "wolf mouse" or "werewolf mouse" for the species.

In addition to these distinctive characteristics, the mouse often emerges at night and is impervious to certain venoms employed by some of the animals it hunts.

According to VanScoyoc, it will track its prey similarly to other predators and will even "howl" to protect its territory like a little wolf. It does howl at the moon, just like a wolf, the biologist noted.

Also Read: Vampire Squid From Depths of South China Sea Could Be New Species, Experts Say

Elusive Species, Some Threatened

The Eastern hognose snake, longnose snake, and lesser earless lizard were among the other species discovered during the survey. The biologists also discovered two threatened species, the New Mexican thread snake and the Checkered garter snake, which are only found near the Kansas-Oklahoma border. These two species are just one step away from being listed as endangered. The survey was conducted in the Red Hills primarily because of both snake species there.

Several of the species discovered during the study, according to VanScoyoc, are thought to require conservation measures.

Surveys are periodically carried out in Kansas by KDWP biologists to monitor native and exotic species. Previous studies have also uncovered seldom encountered species, including the one conducted in an April cave system in Kansas, FOX4 News reports.