Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Abrocoma
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| Species: |
shistacea
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| Synonyms | |
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Abrocoma cinerea shistacea |
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The Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat (Abrocoma shistacea) is a special type of chinchilla rat. You can only find this animal in Argentina. For a long time, people thought it was part of another species. But in 2002, scientists from the University of Oklahoma confirmed it was its own unique species.
Contents
What Does It Look Like?
The Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat is a small animal that looks a bit like a rat. Its body is about 16 cm (6.3 inches) long. Its tail adds another 10 cm (3.9 inches) to its length. An adult chinchilla rat usually weighs about 174 grams (6.1 ounces).
It has dull gray fur, which is lighter on its belly. A faint dark stripe runs down its back and along its tail. Its feet have white fur on top. There is also a clear white patch of fur on its chest. This patch covers a special gland that makes scents. The bottom of its feet have thick, tough pads. These pads help the animal grip rocky surfaces.
Where Does It Live?
This chinchilla rat lives only in the Sierra del Tontal mountains. These mountains are in San Juan Province in north-western Argentina. This area is a rocky desert. It has many shrubs and cacti. The animal has been found living at heights between 1,100 and 2,900 meters (3,600 and 9,500 feet). Scientists do not recognize any different types (subspecies) of this animal.
Daily Life and Habits
The Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat is mostly active during the day. It is busiest in the early morning. These rats usually live in small groups of three or four. They find shelter in rocky cracks on slopes that face east.
They are herbivores, meaning they eat plants. They mostly eat jarilla bushes. These rats can eat these plants even though they have toxic chemicals. The Sierra del Tontal chinchilla rat has two "false teeth" in the middle of its mouth. These teeth help it move food around. A tough pad on its tongue also helps with this. These false teeth are not real teeth. They grow from the lining of the mouth. Because of this, they do not show up in the animal's bones.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
Scientists do not know much about how these specific chinchilla rats have babies. However, other types of chinchilla rats can have up to six babies at a time. They can have babies twice a year.
See also
In Spanish: Rata chinchilla del Tontal para niños
