Abrothrix andina is a member of the order Rodentia and family Cricetidae with the genus Abrothrix.[5]
Habitat
Abrothrix andina is a small mammal that is active throughout the Andes,[6] and has been found in altitudes of 4,620 m.[7] The environment consists of small shrubs and is categorizes as having dry summers and snowy winters.[6]
Biology
Diet
Abrothrix andina primarily eats small shrubs during the summer and shrubs and insects during the winters[8] During extreme temperature changes, the gut morphology changes and energy expenditure changes.[8]
For example, their metabolic rate may increase by 36.6% during the winter.[6] Their body mass has shown to fluctuate throughout the seasons, as well.[6] Their diet has shown behaviors that exhibit hyperphagy.[8]
Behavior
Abrothrix andina is active throughout the year despite seasonal changes.[6]
^ abcdeBozinovic, Francisco; Novoa, F. Fernando; Veloso, Claudio (1990). "Seasonal Changes in Energy Expenditure and Digestive Tract of Abrothrix andinus (Cricetidae) in the Andes Range". Physiological Zoology. 63 (6): 1216–1231. doi:10.1086/physzool.63.6.30152641. ISSN0031-935X. JSTOR30152641. S2CID85812233.
Pardinas, U. and D'Elia, G. 2008. Abrothrix andinus. In IUCN. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on January 12, 2010.