Australian tree rats
Australian tree rats | ||||||||||||
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Black-footed tree rat ( Mesembriomys gouldii ) |
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Systematics | ||||||||||||
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Scientific name | ||||||||||||
Mesembriomys | ||||||||||||
Palmer , 1906 |
The Australian tree rats ( Mesembriomys ) are a genus of rodents from the group of old world mice (Murinae). They are nocturnal, tree-dwelling animals that are found in two species in western and northern Australia :
- The golden-backed tree rat ( Mesembriomys macrurus ) lives in northern Western Australia and the northern Northern Territory .
- The black-footed tree rat ( Mesembriomys gouldii ) is common throughout northern Australia.
The golden-backed tree rat has a head-trunk length of 24 to 35 centimeters, plus a 27 to 39 centimeter long tail. It weighs 430 to 870 grams. Their fur is yellowish-brown on top and whitish on the underside, and their feet are black. The black-footed tree rat is significantly smaller: its head body length is 19 to 24 centimeters, plus a 30 to 36 centimeter tail. It reaches 210 to 330 grams. Their fur is red-brown on top and whitish on the underside, and their feet are black.
The habitat of the tree rats are tree-lined savannas. Here they spend the days in tree hollows, which they pad with leaves. At night they go looking for food. They always have to get back on the ground to get to other trees. The food is nuts and seeds, and insects as complementary foods.
The IUCN lists the gold-backed tree rat as “not endangered” ( least concern ) and the black-footed tree rat as “ near threatened ”.
They are systematically part of the Pseudomys group , a predominantly Australian radiation of old world mice.
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
- Mesembriomys macrurus in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2009. Posted by: A. Burbidge, J. Woinarski, 2008. Accessed November 7 in 2009.
- Mesembriomys gouldii in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2009 Posted by: J. Woinarski, J. Winter, A. Burbidge, 2008. Accessed November 7 in 2009.