Pestratte
| Pestratte | ||||||||||||
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Pestratte ( Nesokia indica ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Nesokia indica | ||||||||||||
| ( Gray , 1830) |
The pest rat ( Nesokia indica ) is a rodent from the group of old world mice (Murinae).
features
These rodents reach a head body length of 14 to 22 centimeters, a tail length of 9 to 13 centimeters and a weight of 110 to 175 grams. Their fur color varies on the upper side from yellow-brown to gray-brown, the belly is white to light gray. The body of the pestratten is stocky, the head is short and rounded, the snout is broad, the ears are rounded. The relatively short tail is almost hairless, the toes have strong claws.
Distribution and way of life
The distribution area of the pestratte extends from Egypt and the Middle East via Iran to northern India and western China . They predominantly live in humid habitats and are often found along rivers or other bodies of water.
They create complex structures consisting of many tunnels, a chamber padded with grass and several unpadded chambers. They sleep in the padded room, and sometimes store food in the others. Their diet consists of grasses, seeds, roots and sometimes crops. As a rule, they live solitary, a burrow is only inhabited by one animal. After a gestation period of around 17 days, the female gives birth to up to ten young animals.
Pestas and humans
Pest rats are often considered a plague, as they devastate fields and also cause damage with their burial activity. In some places they are hunted and eaten (along with their grain supply). According to the IUCN , the plague rat is common and is not an endangered species.
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
- Nesokia indica onthe IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved May 31, 2009.