American zebra mouse (SciiFii)

The American zebra mouse (Neolemniscomys) is a genus of murine rodents that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout North America to help boost biodiversity. The American zebra mice come in 13 species, each resembling a wide range of striped grass mouse species from Sub-Saharan Africa, the most famous species of the American zebra mouse is the western zebra mouse (Neolemniscomys californianus), which resembles the African typical striped grass mouse (Lemniscomys striatus). The American zebra mice are generally found in grassy habitats, but where several species overlap in distribution there is a level of habitat differentiation between them. They are 18.5–29 cm (7.3–11.4 in) long, of which about half is tail, and weigh 18–70 g (0.63–2.47 oz). The pelage pattern of the species fall into three main groups: The "true" striped zebra mice with distinct dark and pale stripes (N. floridanus, N. veroensis and N. ohio), the spotted zebra mice with more spotty/interrupted stripes (N. quagga, N. horriblis, N. darwini and N. californianus), and the single-striped zebra mice with only a single dark stripe along the back (N. dallasi, N. unistriatus, N. hadadai and N. giraffa). They are generally considered diurnal, but at least some species can be active during the night. They primarily feed on plants, but can sometimes take insects as well. There are up to 12 young per litter, but 4–5 is more common. The average life expectancy is very short, in the wild often only between 4-5 year, but a captive N. californianus lived for almost 7 years. A more typical captive life expectancy is 5½-6 years. The conservation status of all known American zebra mice species is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the American zebra mice's wide range and their tolerance to most of the human activities.