Unlikely Mice Thrive in Extreme Altitudes

Researchers have discovered tiny mice, known as Punta de Vacas leaf-eared mice, living at altitudes of 6,000 meters in the Puna de Atacama, a high desert plateau in the Andes. Initially, archaeologists believed the mice had been brought to the mountaintops by ancient Inca people as sacrificial offerings. However, recent findings indicate that the mice have been able to survive and thrive in the extreme conditions on their own. Genetic analysis shows that the mice from the summits are part of the same population as those at lower elevations. Researchers are now studying the mice to understand their adaptations for high-altitude living and the reasons behind their choice to inhabit such harsh environments.