Little hamster rat
| Little hamster rat | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Beamys hindi | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1909 |
The little hamster rat ( Beamys hindei ) is a nocturnal rodent that is common in East Africa. The name is not particularly appropriate, as it is more of a medium-sized representative among the hamster rats . The length of the head body measures 13 to 18 cm, with a tail 10 to 15 cm. The fur is gray on the top and white on the underside. Like other hamster rats, this species also has the typical cheek pouches.
The distribution area extends from Kenya via Tanzania and Malawi to Zambia . Their habitat are river and lake banks as well as swamps within forests. Here she lives in a building that is 60 cm below the ground and a total of up to 9 m long. The food is fruits and seeds.
The lesser hamster rat is a rare animal absent from numerous potential habitats and found in dispersed and isolated populations. Especially the populations of the coastal forests have become rare due to the destruction of the habitats.
Sometimes the small hamster rats living near the coast are separated as a separate species ( B. hindei ) from the inland populations ( B. major ).
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 .
Web link
- Beamys hindei inthe IUCN 2013 Red List of Threatened Species . Posted by: Howell, K., Oguge, N. & Chitaukali, W., 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2013.