Indian bush rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indian bush rat |
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| At Keoladeo National Park, Bharatpur, India | |
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The Indian bush rat (Golunda ellioti) is a small rodent species. It belongs to the Muridae family, which includes many mice and rats. This special rat is the only living member of its group, called Golunda. It's also the only one from its larger family group, the Arvicanthini, that lives outside of Africa.
The name Golunda comes from Gulandi, a local name in the Kannada language. The second part of its scientific name, ellioti, honors Sir Walter Elliot, a Scottish naturalist.
Where Indian Bush Rats Live
Indian bush rats live in many places. You can find them across a large area of the Indian subcontinent. This includes places from Kohat in the west to Guwahati in the east. They also live on the island of Sri Lanka. Interestingly, a small group of these rats lives far away in southeastern Iran.
Scientists have identified about 11 different types, or 'subspecies', of the Indian bush rat. For example, one type is found in southern India. Others are found in places like Punjab, Gujarat, and Nepal.
What Indian Bush Rats Look Like
Indian bush rats are fairly small. Their head and body together measure about 12 to 14 centimeters long. Their tail is a bit shorter, around 9 to 11 centimeters.
Their fur is yellowish-brown on top. It has tiny black and reddish-yellow speckles. Their belly is grayish with a yellowish hint. A unique feature is their front teeth, called incisors, which are orange-yellow! Their tail is dark on top and yellowish underneath. The fur on their body feels a bit spiny. They have a rounded head with a blunt nose. Their eyes are small, and their ears are relatively short.
