Philippines rat hedgehog
| Philippines rat hedgehog | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Podogymnura | ||||||||||||
| Mearns , 1905 |
The Philippines rat hedgehog ( Podogymnura ) are a genus of hedgehogs from the subfamily of the rat hedgehog (Galericinae).
description
Like all rat hedgehogs, the Philippine rat hedgehogs are more similar in appearance to shrews , to which they are, however, not related. Their fur is reddish-brown or gray on the top, the underside is lighter. The elongated, flexible snouts are characteristic. The Mindanao rat hedgehog is the smaller species ( head-trunk length 13 to 15 centimeters) and has a soft fur, while the fur of the Dinagat rat hedgehog is coarser and prickly, this species reaches a head-trunk length of 19 to 21 Centimeter.
Habitat and way of life
Little is known about the way these animals live. Their habitat are mountainous forests in the Philippines at altitudes of 1700 to 2300 meters, where they are presumably mostly on the ground. Their diet is likely to consist primarily of insects and worms.
species
The genus includes two species living in the Philippines:
- the Dinagat rat hedgehog ( Podogymnura aureospinula )
- the Mindanao rat hedgehog ( Podogymnura truei )
Danger
From the IUCN is Podogymnura truei as "not at risk" ( least concern ) and Podogymnura aureospinula as ( "high risk" endangered ) classified. The greatest threat comes from the clearing of forests and the associated destruction of their habitat.
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 .
Web links
- Podogymnura truei in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2009. Posted by: L. Heaney, D. Balete, M. Tabao, 2008. Accessed November 7 in 2009.
- Podogymnura aureospinula in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2009 Posted by: D. Balete, M. Tabao, B. Tabaranza, 2008. Accessed November 7 in 2009.