Staplekuiduis

Staplekuiduis is a small, herbivorous mammal native to the reed beds and tidal marshes of the Nordhaven Archipelago. The name combines Dutch roots: stapel meaning stack, and kuituis or kuiduis, reflecting its habit of stacking vegetation into caches and nests. Adults are brown to gray with a pale underbelly and a dense, water-resistant coat suited to damp habitats; body length is about 22–28 cm, with a short tail.

Staplekuiduis are social and colonial, living in interconnected nests among reeds. They are mainly crepuscular, foraging at dawn and dusk, but may be nocturnal during bad weather. They communicate with vocalizations and scent marks and are adept climbers and swimmers, using wetlands to evade predators.

Diet consists of grasses, reeds, seeds, aquatic plants, and bark during lean times. They store food in hidden caches within nesting areas. Reproduction occurs year-round with peaks in spring and early summer; litters typically include 3–6 young after about 28 days of gestation. In the wild, lifespans are 3–6 years; some individuals live longer in captivity.

Conservation status is locally vulnerable due to wetland drainage and habitat modification. Protected reserves in the Nordhaven Archipelago help sustain populations. Taxonomic placement varies; most regional checklists treat Staplekuiduis as a small rodent within the broader caviomorph group.