Order : RODENTIA
Family : Muridae
Species : Rattus exulans

Head-Body Length : Up to 14 cm
Tail Length : Up to 16 cm
Weight : Up to 65 gms

Rattus exulans (Polynesian Rat, Pacific Rat) is a commensal species, closely associated with man: it is commonly found in the vicinity of houses, farms and markets as well as rice paddies and coconut plantations.

It is small to medium in size, with a maximum head-body length of 14 cm, and a tail slightly longer than the body. The upperparts are greyish-brown or reddish-brown and the upper fur is coarse and spiny. The underparts are light grey. The tail is dark, long and thick.

Its diet is varied, and includes plants, food scraps and perhaps insects. Their spherical nests are mainly constructed of woven grass.

The species ranges from Myanmar and Thailand throughout Peninsular Malaysia and Singapore to the islands of Indonesia, the Philippines, New Guinea and the Pacific.

Fig 1 : Example from Bora Bora, French Polynesia found amongst sparse vegetation on a low-lying coral atoll.


References :

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

Payne, J., Francis, C.M., 1998. A Field Guide to the Mammals of Borneo. The Sabah Society.