Chinchilla rats

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Chinchilla rats
Abrocoma bennettii

Abrocoma bennettii

Systematics
Superordinate : Euarchontoglires
Order : Rodents (Rodentia)
Subordination : Porcupine relatives (Hystricomorpha)
Partial order : Hystricognathi
without rank: Guinea Pig Relatives (Caviomorpha)
Family : Chinchilla rats
Scientific name
Abrocomidae
Miller & Gidley , 1918

The chinchilla rats (Abrocomidae) are a family from the suborder of the porcupine relatives (Hystricomorpha) within the rodents . The family includes two genera with ten species.

distribution

Chinchilla rats inhabit the Andean region in southwestern South America , their range includes southern Peru , Bolivia , northwestern Argentina and the northern and central regions of Chile .

description

Chinchilla rats are rat-like animals with a pointed snout, large round ears, and large eyes. Their fur is long and soft, it resembles the chinchilla fur and is silver-gray or brownish in color, with the underside being lighter. The legs are short, the front feet have four and the hind feet have five toes with soft, nail-like claws. The tail is shorter than the body and densely hairy. These animals reach a head body length of 15 to 25 centimeters, a tail length of 6 to 18 centimeters and a weight of around 200 to 300 grams.

Way of life

The habitat of chinchilla rats are mountain regions up to 5000 meters above sea level. They live in small groups of around six animals in earthworks or caves. They are nocturnal and can climb very well, and they are often found on trees or bushes for foraging. The diet of these animals consists mainly of seeds, fruits and nuts.

Reproduction

Little is known about the reproduction of these animals. The gestation period is estimated at around 120 days and the litter size at one or two. The highest known age of a chinchilla rat was just under two and a half years.

Chinchilla rats and humans

Because their fur which the chinchillas looks similar, chinchilla rats are sometimes hunted. A commercial trade has not been established, however, as the furs are far less valuable. However, there are reports that their skins are sometimes sold overpriced to gullible tourists as real chinchilla skins . The destruction of the habitat has also made them rare in some places. Overall, however, they are less endangered than other rodent species, only Abrocoma boliviens is listed as endangered by the IUCN.

Systematics

External system

Relationships with other rodent groups are still controversial. According to McKenna and Bell ( Classification of Mammals: Above the Species Level ) they form together with the chinchillas the superfamily of the chinchilla-like (Chinchilloidea); other research results place them in the vicinity of the turtle rats (Octodontidae).

The species

Two genera and ten species are known:

literature

  • Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 2 volumes. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD et al. 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
  • Malcolm C. McKenna, Susan K. Bell: Classification of Mammals. Revised Edition. Above the species level. Columbia University Press, New York NY 2000, ISBN 0-231-11013-8 .

Individual evidence

  1. Jeremy Hance: In the shadows of Machu Picchu, scientists find 'extinct' cat-sized mammal . September 25, 2014. Retrieved October 23, 2014.

Web links

Commons : Abrocomidae  - collection of images, videos and audio files