Media Release : April 21, 2006                  

OREGON ZOO NEWS   
April 21, 2006
Oregon Zoo's Egyptian spiny mice exhibit opens May 5.

ZOO BRINGS BLOCKBUSTER EGYPT EXHIBIT TO PORTLAND
Zoo unveils Acomys Cahirinus, which are native to Egypt

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Back in 1998, the Portland Art Museum opened a blockbuster exhibit titled "The Wonders of Ancient Egypt." Not to be outdone, the Oregon Zoo unveils its own Egyptian epic with the May 5 debut of "Acomys Cahirinus" (pronounced uh-SO-miss  suh-he-RYE-nus).

Native to Egypt, North Africa and the Middle East, Acomys Cahirinus has a spiny back, which is covered with a bristly-looking fur. It lives in rocky areas with dense vegetation and is extremely quick on its feet.

"With their foxlike faces, enormous ears and big, round, black eyes,
they can be a little intimidating," says Gilbert Gomez, assistant
zoological curator. "They're very active creatures, and males can be somewhat aggressive and downright dangerous to each other. We'll really have to watch them closely."

Females of the species are good mothers and sometimes act as "surrogate moms," according to Gomez. "Females often help other females give birth and even nurse their babies," he says.

The zoo has not decided if babies are in its future.

To help Acomys Cahirinus feel more at home, the zoo's staff has
decorated the outside of the exhibit with hieroglyphics, scarabs and a depiction of the Egyptian god Horus.

The zoo is a service of Metro and is dedicated to its mission to inspire the community to create a better future for wildlife. Committed to conservation, the zoo is currently working to save endangered California condors, Oregon silverspot butterflies, western pond turtles and Kincaid's lupine. Other projects include studies on black rhinos, Asian elephants, polar bears and bats.

The zoo opens at 9 a.m. daily and is located five minutes from downtown Portland, just off Highway 26. The zoo is also accessible by MAX light rail line. Zoo visitors are encouraged to ride MAX or take TriMet bus #63 to the Oregon Zoo. Visitors who take the bus or MAX receive 50 cents off zoo admission. Call TriMet Customer Service, 503-238-RIDE (7433), or visit www.trimet.org for fare and route information.

General admission is $9.50 (12-64), seniors $8 (65+), children $6.50 (3-11), and infants two and under are free. A parking fee of $1 per car is also required. Additional information is available at
www.oregonzoo.org or by calling 503-226-1561.


Photo courtesy/copyright Wildlife Conservation Society.

EGYPTIAN SPINY MICE FACT SHEET
A Mouse With Mystique

Memorable Mice Egyptian spiny mice get their name from their bristly-looking fur that has the appearance of spines and quills. The bristles help the mice protect themselves and their fellow spiny mice. When eaten by birds and other predators, the bristles scratch the throat of the predator. The predator remembers the unpleasant experience and avoids eating spiny
mice again.

Moody Mice Spiny mice are very active and energetic and are often very amusing to watch. The males tend to be more aggressive toward each other.

Motherly Mice Females will act as "surrogate moms," often helping other females give birth and even nursing their babies. Spiny mice give birth to two to four babies at a time, unlike the U.S. species, which typically have 10 to 12 babies per litter.

Mob of Mice Spiny mice live in large family groups and are very social in the wild. A Mouse Menu Spiny mice prefer to feast on plant matters, but adapt to anything
edible.

Mice Measurements:Spiny mice weight 3 to 5 ounces and are 5 inches long, not including their tail. 

Additional Facts
Scientific Name: Acomys Cahirinus
Class: Mammal
Range: Egypt, North Africa and the Middle East
Habitat: Rocky areas with dense vegetation
Life Expectancy: 4 to 5 years
Conservation Status: Not endangered