Java monkey foot rat
| Java monkey foot rat | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Pithecheir melanurus | ||||||||||||
| Lesson , 1840 | ||||||||||||
The Java monkey foot-rat ( Pithecheir melanurus ) is a rodent in the subfamily of Old World mice found in Southeast Asia .
features
With a head-to-trunk length of 159 to 176 mm, a tail length of 190 to 213 mm and 28 to 32 mm long hind feet, it is about the same size as the Malaya monkey foot-rat ( Pithecheir parvus ). The ears are about 15 mm long and there are no weights. The head, torso, arms and legs are covered with light orange-brown fur, with the underside being significantly lighter. The rear of the naked and black tail can be used as a pronging tail . Furthermore, the Java monkey foot rat is well adapted to climbing trees with its short and wide hind feet. The big toe has a small claw that is reminiscent of a toenail or a scale.
Distribution and way of life
The species is known only from a few specimens that were found in western Java before World War II . Finds are known from the lowlands and from areas at an altitude of 1200 meters. The landscape also features tropical forests, which the species is believed to prefer.
Specimens that were temporarily held in captivity accepted green plant parts, bananas and real crickets as food. The Java monkey foot rat builds a round nest with a diameter of about 150 mm from leaves of trees, ferns and bamboo . It is hidden in the flat vegetation of the forests or on trees behind epiphytes at a height of 2 to 3.5 meters. The species is probably nocturnal. Females have been documented with a young animal between April and September. This initially follows the mother by sucking on a teat and holding onto the fur with hands and feet.
threat
Most likely, deforestation poses a threat to the population. According to estimates, the distribution area has a maximum size of 2000 km². The IUCN lists the Java monkey-rat as endangered (Vulnerable) .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Don E. Wilson , DeeAnn M. Reeder (Ed.): Mammal Species of the World . A taxonomic and geographic Reference . 3. Edition. 2 volumes. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 (English, Pithecheir melanurus ).
- ^ A b Don E. Wilson, Thomas E. Lacher Jr., Russell A. Mittermeier (eds.): Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Volume 7 - Rodents II . Lynx Edicions, 2017, ISBN 978-84-16728-04-6 , pp. 736 (English).
- ↑ a b Pithecheir melanurus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2016 Posted by: Clayton, E., 2016. Accessed July 10, 2020th