Gold-belly swimming rat
| Gold-belly swimming rat | ||||||||||||
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Gold-bellied swimming rat ( Hydromys chrysogaster ) |
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| Hydromys chrysogaster | ||||||||||||
| É. Geoffroy , 1804 |
The gold-bellied swimming rat ( Hydromys chrysogaster ) is a rodent from the group of old world mice (Murinae). It is the best known and most widespread representative of the swimming rats .
features
Gold-bellied swimming rats reach a head body length of 21 to 35 centimeters, in addition there is a 24 to 35 centimeter long tail. Their weight is 0.4 to 1.2 kilograms. Their physique is adapted to aquatic life: the head is elongated, the body is streamlined. The dense fur is colored gray-brown to black-brown, the white tip of the tail is characteristic. The muzzle is wide, the eyes are high on the head, the ears are small. The broad feet are webbed and the tail is rounded.
distribution and habitat
These rodents live in northern, eastern, and southwestern Australia including Tasmania , New Guinea, and offshore islands such as the Aru Islands , the Kai Islands, and the Obi Islands . They always live in the vicinity of water, these can be lakes and rivers, but also mangrove areas and brackish water zones.
Lifestyle and diet
Gold-bellied swimming rats can be active both day and night, but often foraging for food during twilight. They live in earthworks in the bank area, the entrances are often hidden under a root or something similar. Buildings can have multiple chambers and two entrances. They are territorial and solitary, and fierce fighting can occur between males.
They hunt their prey in the water. The diet consists mainly of crustaceans and fish , but sometimes they also eat birds, frogs, small mammals and aquatic insects.
Reproduction
Mating takes place at least in Australia in spring and summer. After a gestation period of around 35 days, the female gives birth to one to seven (three to four on average) young animals. They open their eyes after two weeks, are weaned at four weeks and sexually mature at four months.
Danger
In the past, the golden-bellied swimming rat was hunted for its fur. Today, water pollution is a greater danger. Overall, however, the species is frequent and, according to the IUCN, not endangered.
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 .
- Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. 2 volumes. 3. Edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .
Web links
- Information at Animal Diversity Web
- Hydromys chrysogaster onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved May 29, 2009.