The micromammifères are small carnivorous, rodent mammals, insectivorous, etc studied by the Mammalogie and classified in this particular category because of their small size. Some of them are well-known animals of laboratory (Souris, Rat, Hamster, guinea-pig, etc), for which particular stocks are high for research (mice without hair, individuals allergic or developing such type of cancer, or equipped with such genetic inheritance).

In nature, their behavior remains rather badly known except for some species easier to observe or closer to the man (Hérisson, Taupe, squirrel, Loir, Lérot, Water vole, black Rat, Rat surmulot, Muskrat, Ragondin, Lièvre, Wild rabbit). They are mainly studied by trapping (technique of capture-recaptures, with marking), by observation on the ground or in laboratory or by identification of the bones found in the balls of rejection of raptors. The Chauve-souris are studied using detectors of ultrasounds and the capture with the net or the observation of their lodgings.

The micromammifères, often night and digger, some are arboricolous (squirrel), some learned how to fly (bat), all having complex ecological functions. Their demography is frequently subjected tosame cycles, them related to complexes loops of feedbacks utilizing them hormonal Système, the availability in food, the rates of Prédation, or of the climatic risks (fires, dryness, floods) or of the epidemics. They are the tank many Pathogène S to which the man is sensitive (Peste, echinococcosis for example). For this double reason, atlases are drawn up with the supranational regional scales, main roads and for the follow-up of these species, of which some can be regarded as good indicators of quality of mediums.

external bonds

• Vincent Mistrot, micromammifères, markers of the anthropisation of the medium, rural Studies , 153-154 very long life. To see the document