Argentine swamp rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Argentine swamp rat |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Scapteromys
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| Species: |
aquaticus
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The Argentine swamp rat (Scapteromys aquaticus) is a type of rodent that loves water. It lives in South America, specifically in northeastern Argentina and Paraguay. You can find these rats in wet places like freshwater marshes, along the southern coast of the Río de la Plata estuary, and even in some woodlands.
This special rat has stiff hairs on its tail, which help it swim! It looks a bit like a regular rat, but it has a bigger head, a stronger body, larger feet, and a longer tail. Its fur is long and shiny, usually brown or dark brown, sometimes with a grayish tint. The sides of its body might look a bit yellowish. Its belly fur is usually off-white. The front feet are big, which is great for swimming and digging. All its toes, even its "thumb," have claws.
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Where Do Argentine Swamp Rats Live?
These rodents prefer low, grassy areas that are often flooded. They also live in salt marshes and any place with standing water. They are excellent swimmers and divers, using special "swimming fringes" on their bodies to move through the water.
Where Can You Find Them?
Argentine swamp rats are found in different parts of the Río de la Plata basin. You can spot them in east-central Argentina, southern Paraguay, Uruguay, and even along the southern coast of Brazil.
What Do They Eat and How Do They Behave?
Argentine swamp rats mostly eat beetles and earthworms. They are active both during the day and at night. Female rats usually have three to five babies at a time. Male rats can breed all year round. Scientists haven't found any evidence that these rats dig burrows. Instead, young rats have been found in shallow dips in the ground, hidden by matted grass.
Are They in Danger?
In 2008, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species said the Argentine swamp rat was of "least concern". This means they are not considered endangered. There are many of them, and their population is not decreasing quickly enough to be worried about.
