Mount Oku rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Oku rat |
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The Mount Oku rat (scientific name: Lamottemys okuensis) is a special type of rodent. It belongs to the Muridae family, which includes many rats and mice. This rat is the only species in its group, called Lamottemys. You can only find it in Cameroon, a country in Africa. It lives in subtropical or tropical moist montane forests, which are cool, wet mountain forests. Sadly, its home is shrinking, which puts it in danger.
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What Does the Mount Oku Rat Look Like?
The Mount Oku rat is a medium-sized animal. Its body, from head to tail base, is about 126 mm (5 in) long. Its fur on its back is shiny and soft. It is a dark brownish-black color, with hints of reddish-brown. There is no stripe along its spine.
Each hair on its back is dark grey at the bottom. It has a band of yellowish-brown in the middle and black tips. There are also many longer, black hairs mixed in. The fur on its belly is yellowish-grey. These hairs are grey at the base and yellowish at the tips.
Its legs are yellowish-brown. It has four toes on its front feet and five toes on its back feet. The tail is about the same length as its body. It is covered with small scales and tiny black bristles.
Where Does the Mount Oku Rat Live?
This rat lives only in Cameroon, a country in West Africa. It is an endemic species, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world. You can only find it on the forested slopes of Mount Oku. This area is high up in the mountains, between 2,100 and 3,000 m (6,890 and 9,843 ft) above sea level.
The Mount Oku rat prefers places with thorny bushes. It also likes dense undergrowth and rough plants. Scientists are not sure if it can live in forests that have grown back after being cut down.
How Does the Mount Oku Rat Live?
The Mount Oku rat likely eats plants. It probably spends most of its time on the ground. This is what scientists guess based on its body shape.
One female rat was caught during the dry season in January. She was carrying one developing baby. This suggests that these rats might have small litters of babies.
Animals like genets and mongooses probably hunt these rats for food. Local villagers also sometimes catch them for food.
Why Is the Mount Oku Rat in Danger?
The Mount Oku rat lives in a very small area. Its total home range is only about 500 km2 (193 sq mi). All of these rats live on the forested slopes of Mount Oku.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has looked at its situation. They have decided that the Mount Oku rat is an "endangered" animal. This means it is at high risk of disappearing forever. The main reason for this danger is that its forest home is being destroyed. Parts of the forest are being cleared to make space for farming.
