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Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless credited to others.
Copyright © Ecology Asia 2025

 
     
 

 

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

   
   
 
Mόller's Rat 
Sundamys muelleri
   
   

Order : RODENTIA
Family : Muridae
Species : Sundamys muelleri

Head-Body Length : Up to 28 cm
Tail Length : Up to 37 cm
Weight : Up to 470 grams

This large, widespread rat occurs in primary and adjacent secondary forest in southern Myanmar, southern Thailand, Sumatra, Borneo, the Philippine island of Palawan and many smaller islands of the region.

It is mainly a lowland species but has been documented at elevations of up to 1800 metres.  On Mount Kinabalu, Sabah, Borneo it has been recorded up to 1650 metres.

It is predominantly nocturnal, and is mainly terrestrial in habits, but is known to climb into low vegetation. It feeds on both plant and animal matter, including insects, snails and land crabs.

Its upperparts and flanks are brownish, and the fur is long and rough with dark 'guard hairs', which are longer than normal hairs. Its underparts are pale.  Its dark brown tail is much longer than its head and body. Its skull is relatively slender, its snout is pointed, and its eyes are relatively small.


Figs 1 and 2 : Mόller's Rat climbing low vegetation at night. This example was found in lowland forest in Sabah, Borneo. Photos thanks to Oliver Wearn.


References :


Aplin, K. 2016. Sundamys muelleri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T21152A22397411.

Camacho-Sanchez, M., Leonard, J. A., Fitriana, Y., Tilak, M-K. & Fabre, P-H. (2017). The generic status of Rattus annandalei (Bonhote, 1903) (Rodentia, Murinae) and its evolutionary implications. Journal of Mammalogy, 98(5), 1340-1355.

Francis, C.M., 2001. Mammals of South-east Asia. New Holland.

Fig 1
  
©  Oliver Wearn
Fig 2
  
©  Oliver Wearn