Komodo rat
| Komodo rat | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Komodomys | ||||||||||||
| Musser & Boeadi, 1980 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Komodomys rintjanus | ||||||||||||
| ( Sody , 1941) |
The Komodo rat ( Komodomys rintjanus ) is a rodent species from the group of old world mice (Murinae) and the only species of the genus Komodomys .
Komodo rats are medium-sized old world mice. They reach a head body length of 13 to 20 centimeters and a tail length of 11 to 16 centimeters. Their dense fur is spiky on the back, it is colored sand-colored, the middle part of the head and the back are darker than the sides. The hairy feet are white, the tail is also hairy.
These rodents are only known from the Lesser Sunda Islands in Indonesia . They are extinct on Flores, but are still alive on smaller offshore islands such as Rintjar , Padar , Lomblen , Pantar and possibly Komodo . Their habitat are forests, probably more dry tropical forests. They are mostly on the ground.
Due to its small distribution area and the continuing destruction of the habitat, the IUCN lists the species as "endangered" ( vulnerable ).
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
- Komodomys rintjanus onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved May 29, 2009.