Key Largo Cotton Mouse: A Critically Endangered Keystone Species Facing Conservation Challenges
The Key Largo cotton mouse, a critically endangered endemic species, captivates with its diminutive size, soft, gray fur, and white underbelly. Confined to Key Largo, its habitat is a mosaic of hardwood forests, pinelands, and coastal marshes. As a keystone herbivore, it plays a crucial role in preserving ecosystem balance. However, habitat loss, invasive species,…