Red pest rat

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Red pest rat
Systematics
Family : Long-tailed mice (Muridae)
Subfamily : Old World Mice (Murinae)
Tribe : Rattini
Rattus group
Genre : Pest rats ( Nesokia )
Type : Red pest rat
Scientific name
Nesokia bunnii
( Khajuria , 1981)

The red pest rat ( Nesokia bunnii ) is a rodent from the group of old world mice (Murinae). Sometimes it is listed in its own genus, Erythronesokia .

Red pest rats are very large representatives of the Old World mice, they reach a head body length of 25 to 27 centimeters, a tail length of around 21 centimeters and a weight of around 520 grams. Their fur is reddish in color on the back, the flanks are orange, the belly and legs are white. The tail is hairy, the fur is rough.

Red pest rats live in Iraq , their area of ​​distribution includes the swamps on the lower reaches of the Euphrates and Tigris . Very little is known about the way of life, reportedly it is said to swim well, but also to be able to climb.

Although it is the largest representative of the mice in Iraq and is noticeable by its reddish color, it was not scientifically described until 1981 - but it has been known to the local population for a long time. Main danger is the draining of the marshes and the destruction of the habitat. The IUCN lists the Red short-tailed bandicoot rat as "high risk" ( endangered ).

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 .

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