Magdalena rat
| Magdalena rat | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Xenomys | ||||||||||||
| Merriam , 1892 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Xenomys nelsoni | ||||||||||||
| Merriam , 1892 |
The Magdalena Rat ( Xenomys nelsoni ) is one in Central America living rodent species from the group of New world .
Magdalena rats reach a head body length of around 16 centimeters, plus a 14 to 17 centimeter long tail. Their fur is colored reddish or reddish brown on the upper side, the belly is white. There is a white spot above each eye and behind each ear, and the area of the upper lip is also colored white. The relatively large ears are bare, but the tail is densely hairy.
These rodents are only known from three locations in the Mexican states of Colima and Jalisco . Their habitat are forests near the coast.
Little is known about the way of life. The animals are nocturnal tree dwellers who can climb the branches quickly and skillfully. They retire to rest in tree hollows. Little is known about the degree of risk; the IUCN lists them as not endangered, which is out of date.
The Magdalena rat is closely related to the American bush rats ( Neotoma ) and is sometimes incorporated into this genus.
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
- Xenomys nelsoni in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2006 Posted by: J. Baillie, 1996. Retrieved on 1 August, 2008.