Atlantic Forest nectomys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Atlantic Forest nectomys |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Nectomys
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| Species: |
squamipes
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The Atlantic Forest nectomys, also known as the South American water rat or scaly-footed water rat, is a special type of rodent. It lives partly in water and partly on land. This animal eats mostly insects. You can find it in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It prefers to live near rivers and streams in the Atlantic Forest area.
Contents
Discovering the South American Water Rat
The South American water rat (Nectomys squamipes) is easy to tell apart from other similar rodents. It is the largest in its family, weighing about 216 grams. It has long back legs with partly webbed feet, which help it swim. Its heels are completely covered in scales. The name Nectomys comes from Greek words meaning "mouse" and "swimming."
What Makes Them Special?
One unique thing about these rats is their teeth. They have special molars (back teeth) that are crowned early in life. The outer folds of their upper molars often look like separate enamel islands. The Atlantic Forest water rat also has longer ears that are not very hairy. Its fur is shiny and long. This fur is darker on its back and lighter grey on its sides and belly. Its tail has much less hair and is about 75% as long as its body.
A Strong Bite
N. squamipes has a large skull with strong ridges. These ridges provide great places for jaw muscles to attach. This gives the rat a very strong bite. Its large, curved front teeth (incisors) are also very powerful.
Where Do Water Rats Live?
The South American water rat lives in many places. You can find them from sea level up to about 2,000 meters high. They live along the northern coast of South America, in Brazil, Argentina, and on the western side of the Andes mountains. Most of these rats are found very close, usually within 2 meters, of tropical forest streams and rivers. They love wet places like swamps or marshes in forested areas. Sometimes, they even live in caves!
Staying Safe from Predators
The main predator of the South American water rat is the barn owl (Tyto alba). Water rats are most at risk at night. This is when barn owls hunt and the nocturnal (active at night) rats are out of their nests.
Clever Defenses
Nectomys squamipes are excellent swimmers and climbers. These skills help them escape from predators quickly. Their dark fur on their back also helps them blend in with their surroundings. This acts as a natural camouflage.
What Do Water Rats Eat?
The South American water rat is an omnivore. This means it eats both plants and animals. Their diet includes fruits, leaves, insects, and even small fish.
Eating Habits
These water rats tend to eat more after the wet season ends. This is when there is plenty of food available. Young water rats born during this time often grow bigger. They have more food than those born when it's drier.
Life and Family of the Water Rat
Male South American water rats try to mate with many females. They will increase the area they roam to find more mates. This helps them have as many young as possible. Males are usually ready to mate all year. However, females tend to get pregnant more often during the wet season. In South America, this is from August to November. This timing means their babies are born when there is lots of food. This helps the young grow well and leads to more rats in the population.
Baby Water Rats
Pregnancy lasts about 30 days. Newborn water rats weigh around 10-11 grams. A mother can have as few as one baby or as many as seven in a litter. The male rats usually do not help raise the young. So, the female rat is responsible for feeding and caring for her babies.
How Water Rats Behave
Nectomys squamipes is a solitary animal, meaning it lives alone. It is active during the night. Male rats tend to wander more and have a less fixed home area. Female rats, however, are very protective of their territory.
Hunting and Nests
When swimming and looking for food, the South American water rat can find objects underwater. It lifts them above the surface to check if they are edible. It uses its sense of smell and sight for this. When hunting on land, it pounces on prey and grabs it with its front paws.
Their nests are often built like bird nests. They are made of dry twigs and leaves woven together. These nests are usually found inside dead trees near streams or under thick plants for protection.
Health and the Water Rat
Scientists often study Nectomys squamipes because it can carry a tiny organism called Schistosoma mansoni. This organism causes a disease called Schistosomiasis. This disease is caused by tiny worms found in freshwater. Water rats might pick up these worms by drinking the water.
Studying Disease
Studies are done in areas of Brazil where many N. squamipes live. Scientists try to see if there is a link between the water rat and the disease in people living there. Research has shown a clear connection between the presence of these rats and the disease. This helps scientists understand how to keep people healthy.
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