Bunny rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bunny rat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Reithrodon
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| Species: |
auritus
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The bunny rat is a small rodent that lives in South America. It's also known as the hairy-soled conyrat. This animal belongs to the family called Cricetidae. Its scientific name is Reithrodon auritus.
Contents
What Does a Bunny Rat Look Like?
The bunny rat is a sturdy rodent. It looks a bit like a rat. It can be about 20 to 27 centimeters long. This includes its tail, which is about 7 to 10 centimeters long. Adult bunny rats usually weigh around 80 grams.
Fur and Features
Their body is covered in long, soft fur. Even their tail is hairy and has a distinct tuft at the end. They have a fairly large head. Their ears are round, hairy, and stand out.
Rabbit-like Legs
One special thing about bunny rats is their hind legs. They are unusually long for a rat. Their first and fifth toes are smaller. This makes their feet look a bit like a rabbit's.
Color and Identification
Their fur color can be dark brown to buff-grey on their upper body. It gets lighter on their belly, sometimes almost white. The easiest way to tell a bunny rat apart from its close relatives is by its feet. The soles of a bunny rat's feet are hairy.
Where Do Bunny Rats Live?
Bunny rats are found in many places in South America. They live in Argentina and eastern Chile. You can find them south of about 36°S latitude. They are also found in some areas of northern Argentina. It's possible they live in parts of Uruguay too. There have even been reports of bunny rats on the Falkland Islands.
Their Homes
These rodents mostly live in open grasslands. This includes areas like steppes and prairies. But they can also be found in shrublands. Sometimes, they even live in beech forests. They can live in areas up to about 3,000 meters high.
Different Types
Scientists recognize a few different groups of bunny rats. These groups live in various regions. For example, some live in central Argentina. Others are found in northern Argentina, southern Argentina, or eastern Chile. Some even live in Tierra del Fuego.
How Do Bunny Rats Live?
Bunny rats mostly eat grass. They can eat a lot of it! In just one night, they might eat as much grass as their own body weight. They are usually active at night. This means they are nocturnal. However, they might also be active during the day. This depends on the weather. They spend most of their awake time eating.
Their Tunnels
When they sleep, bunny rats hide in tunnels. These tunnels are about 4 to 7 centimeters wide. They also have several entrances. Sometimes, bunny rats use tunnels that other rodents have dug. They might even share these tunnels with the original animal!
Life and Family
In good conditions, there can be many bunny rats in one area. They usually live for about 15 months. Bunny rats have babies between September and March. Most babies are born in the spring. A mother bunny rat can have up to eight babies at a time. Female bunny rats can have their own babies when they are two months old. Males might take a bit longer to become mature.
