Link rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Link rat |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Deomys
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| Species: |
ferrugineus
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The link rat is a small rodent, a type of mouse, that lives in central Africa. It's also called the Congo forest mouse. Scientists know it by its scientific name, Deomys ferrugineus.
Contents
What Does the Link Rat Look Like?
Link rats are small, about 12 to 14.5 centimeters (5-6 inches) long. Their tail is even longer, from 15 to 21 centimeters (6-8 inches). They weigh about 40 to 70 grams, which is like a few strawberries.
This mouse has long legs and a pointed, narrow head. It has very large ears that stand out. Its tail is very long and has two colors. The top part of its body, including its back and forehead, is a rich orange-brown color. Its belly is white. The hairs on its rump (rear end) are stiff.
Where Do Link Rats Live and What Do They Do?
The link rat lives in central Africa, in countries like Cameroon and near the Victoria Nile. It prefers to live on the floors of forests that get flooded during certain seasons.
Link rats are not very common, and they are spread out across their habitat. They are mostly active at night, which is called being nocturnal. They are also active during twilight hours, like dawn and dusk. This is called being crepuscular.
What Do Link Rats Eat?
Link rats mostly eat insects. They also enjoy eating small crustaceans, like tiny crabs or shrimp. Sometimes, they eat slugs. They also snack on fallen fruits, especially the husks of palm nuts.
The Link Rat's Family Tree
Scientists group animals into families based on how closely they are related. This is like a family tree. For a long time, the link rat was thought to be part of a group called Dendromurinae, which includes African climbing mice.
However, new studies looked at the DNA of these animals. DNA is like a blueprint for living things. These studies showed that the link rat is actually more closely related to spiny mice.
Because of this new information, scientists created a new family group called Deomyinae. This group now includes the link rat, spiny mice (Acomys), brush-furred mice (Lophuromys), and Rudd's mouse (Uranomys). This new way of grouping them is supported by many recent studies.
