Fawn-footed mosaic tail rat
Fawn-footed mosaic tail rat | ||||||||||||
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Fawn-footed mosaic tail rat ( Melomys cervinipes ) |
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Systematics | ||||||||||||
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Scientific name | ||||||||||||
Melomys cervinipes | ||||||||||||
( Gould , 1852) |
The fawn-footed mosaic-tailed rat ( Melomys cervinipes ) is one of the largest representatives of the genus of the mosaic- tailed rat .
Appearance
The fawn-footed mosaic-tail rat has a brownish to red fur and the belly is white. The body length is between 9 and 17 centimeters, the tail is provided with small scales, which are arranged like a mosaic , and is 11 to 17 centimeters long. The body is short and the ears are tight.
distribution and habitat
The range of this species are the tropical forests of Australia of Queensland and New South Wales . The animals often stay near smaller bodies of water.
Way of life
The very active climbers usually spend their rest phases in nests, which they build from grass and leaves on screw palms. Their diet consists mainly of plant seeds and fruits.
Reproduction
These animals have their breeding season in the rainy season, usually from November to April. The female gives birth to up to 4 young per litter.
Danger
Since no threats are known for this species and it also occurs in protected areas, it is listed by the IUCN as Least Concern .
literature
- Philip Whitfield (ed.): The great world empire of the animals. Planet Media AG, Zug 1992, ISBN 3-8247-8614-1 , p. 178f.
- Wendy A Callaway; Ayla A Turner; Oscar B Croshaw; Jade A Ferguson; Zachary J -N Julson: Melomys cervinipes (Rodentia: Muridae). Mammalian Species 50 (968), Oct. 3, 2018; Pp. 134-147. doi : 10.1093 / mspecies / sey015
Web links
- Melomys cervinipes inthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014.3. Posted by: Burnett, S. & Winter, J., 2008. Retrieved May 13, 2015.