Desert Western Pebble Mouse - Grace Brown - Aboriginal Artist
Mixed Media Painting on Quality Artist Duck Canvas
Ready to Hang - Framed in White Tasmanian Oak
Find the Pebble Mouse.....
Some of the strangest constructions made by animals in Australia are the mounds of stones, up to 9sq.m in area, built by the western pebble-mouse. These small rodents move thousands of pebbles, each weighing up to half their own weight, to create a landscape dotted with miniature stone ‘volcanoes’ in which the ‘craters’ serve as burrow entrances.
As many as 25 mice live under one mound. The purpose of the pebbles isn’t yet known, but probably it has to do with maintaining humidity underground and stopping goannas from clawing their way in for mouse meals. The mounds last decades, if not centuries, providing homes for numerous generations.
The western pebble-mouse lacked a scientific name until 1980, since then, two more pebble-mouse species have been named.
Scientists began naming Australia’s rodents during the 18th century, so it’s surprising that these mice eluded recognition for so long, given their durable engineering works.
Grace came across these little mounds of stones and the families of mice who live under them on a trip to the outback and she has never forgotten them.
I just love these little guys and admire the work they do. They are just gorgeous!
Prints available soon.