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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. |
