Fawn-footed mosaic tail rat

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Fawn-footed mosaic tail rat
Melomys cervinipes.jpg

Fawn-footed mosaic tail rat ( Melomys cervinipes )

Systematics
Family : Long-tailed mice (Muridae)
Subfamily : Old World Mice (Murinae)
Tribe : Hydromyini
Uromys group
Genre : Mosaic tail rats ( Melomys )
Type : Fawn-footed mosaic tail rat
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

Distribution map of the mosaic tail rat

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

Commons : Mosaic Tail Rat  - Collection of Images, Videos, and Audio Files