Visca rat
| Visca rat | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name of the genus | ||||||||||||
| Octomys | ||||||||||||
| Thomas , 1920 | ||||||||||||
| Scientific name of the species | ||||||||||||
| Octomys mimax | ||||||||||||
| Thomas, 1920 |
The viscacha rat ( Octomys mimax ) is a living in South America rodent species from the family of octodontidae (Octodontidae). It is not closely related to the Viscacha .
Viscacha rats reach a head body length of 14 to 18 centimeters, the tail becomes 13 to 16 centimeters long and ends in a bushy tassel. The weight varies between 120 and 145 grams. The fur of these animals is colored light brown on the upper side, the belly and the feet are colored white.
These animals are found only in northwestern Argentina in the provinces of Catamarca , La Rioja , San Juan and the north of Mendoza . Their habitat are mountain slopes and the steppe-like Monte region, overall they inhabit relatively dry habitats .
Very little is known about the way these rodents live. They are nocturnal and spend the day sleeping in their earthworks. They are herbivores, the female can have a litter several times a year.
Little is known about the degree of risk. The species is considered rare, but there is no evidence that man-made reasons are behind this rarity. The IUCN lists them as safe, but that is out of date.
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
- Octomys mimax in the endangered Red List species the IUCN 2006 Posted by: J. Baillie, 1996. Accessed July 21 of 2008.