Madagascar short-tailed rats
| Madagascar short-tailed rats | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Brachyuromys | ||||||||||||
| Forsyth Major , 1896 |
The Madagascar Kurzschwanz rats ( Brachyuromys ) are a rodent species from the group of Madagascar rats (Nesomyinae). The two species of this genus, Brachyuromys ramirohitra and Brachyuromys betsileoensis , are native to eastern and south-eastern Madagascar .
In their physique, these animals are similar to voles , but they are not closely related to them. Their thick, soft fur is brownish in color on the top and has red and black speckles, the underside is reddish. The characteristic that gives it its name is its tail, which is short compared to other Madagascar rats. They reach a head body length of 15 to 18 centimeters, a tail length of 6 to 10 centimeters and a weight of 85 to 105 grams.
Little is known about the way of life of these animals. Their habitat are heather areas, sometimes also mountain forests at 900 to 2,400 meters above sea level. They hang out in the thick grass, where they create trails to move faster. They are both diurnal and nocturnal.
Both species are listed as low endangered by the IUCN , possibly due to the food competition from introduced rats .
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 .
