Bramble Cay melomys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bramble Cay melomys |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Melomys
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| Species: |
rubicola
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The Bramble Cay melomys was a small rodent that is now extinct. It was also known as the Bramble Cay mosaic-tailed rat (Melomys rubicola). This little animal was part of the Muridae family, which includes mice and rats.
It looked a bit like the Cape York melomys, but its tail was rougher. Scientists found it was different from other similar animals in Australia and New Guinea. The Bramble Cay melomys lived in burrows it dug among plants. It also made homes under branches and leaves on the ground. It was a nocturnal animal, meaning it was active at night. Scientists believe it was a vegetarian, eating only plants.
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Where Did the Bramble Cay Melomys Live?
The Bramble Cay melomys was only found on a tiny island called Bramble Cay. This island is a coral cay (a small, low island made of sand and coral) that is about 340 meters long and 150 meters wide.
Bramble Cay is located in the eastern part of the Torres Strait. This is a sea passage off the northern tip of Australia. The island is also only about 50 kilometers from New Guinea.
Scientists think the melomys might have become trapped on Bramble Cay. This could have happened when sea levels rose after the last ice age. Another idea is that they floated to the island from the Fly River area in New Guinea, perhaps on branches.
Why Did the Bramble Cay Melomys Disappear?
In the 1800s, there were many Bramble Cay melomys on the island. But their numbers started to drop quickly.
- In 1998, a search found only 42 animals.
- By 2002, another search found just 10 animals.
- In 2004, only 12 were seen.
Sadly, the Bramble Cay melomys has not been seen since 2004. During this time, the sea level around Bramble Cay has risen. This made the island smaller and smaller. Also, turtles and sea birds ate most of the plants on the island. This meant the melomys had less food and less space to live.
Scientists now believe the Bramble Cay melomys is extinct. In June 2016, researchers from Queensland's Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and the University of Queensland officially reported that the species had indeed become extinct.
Images for kids
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The Bramble Cay melomys was endemic to a low-lying cay in the Torres Strait.
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Bramble Cay, as seen from a boat during a survey of the Bramble Cay melomys in 2014.
See also
In Spanish: Melomys rubicola para niños
