Target rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Target ratTemporal range: Recent
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Stochomys
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| Species: |
longicaudatus
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| Synonyms | |
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Mus sebastianus Trouessart, 1897 |
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The target rat (Stochomys longicaudatus) is a type of rodent. Rodents are a group of mammals that includes rats, mice, and squirrels. This rat belongs to the Muridae family, also known as the 'Old World rats and mice'.
This rat is special because it's the only species in its group, called Stochomys. You can find it living in warm, wet forests near the equator.
Contents
What the Target Rat Looks Like
The target rat is a medium-sized rodent. Its body, from head to tail, is about 13 to 17 centimeters long. It usually weighs around 90 grams, which is about the same as a small apple.
Its fur is dark reddish-brown on its back. The fur becomes grey on its sides. Its belly is a pale grey color. The rat's tail is much longer than its body. It measures about 18 to 22 centimeters.
Female target rats have six teats. The rat gets its name from some long, dark bristles on its rump. These bristles look like arrows stuck in a target. The old name Mus sebastianus also refers to this. It reminds people of Saint Sebastian, who was shot with arrows.
Where the Target Rat Lives
The target rat lives in humid rainforests. These forests are found in tropical western Central Africa. They live from sea level up to about 1000 meters high.
Their home stretches from Togo, through Benin and Nigeria. It goes all the way to the Congo Basin and western Uganda. These rats like swampy forest areas. They also live near streams and in forests along rivers. Sometimes, they are seen in forests near villages. They can even be found in banana farms.
Life and Habits
The target rat is mostly active at night. This means it is a nocturnal animal. It searches for food on the ground. Its diet includes green plants and fallen fruits. It also eats some insects.
Even though it mostly stays on the ground, it can climb. It often climbs into the lower parts of rainforest trees. However, it does not climb very high. These rats have been seen building round nests. They make these nests from shredded grass.
Not much is known about how target rats live together. But in Cameroon, a group of thirteen rats was found in one place. This was in an oil palm plantation.
Target rats can have babies all year long. However, they might have more babies at certain times. These times are usually from February to May and from September to December. A mother rat usually has one to four young at a time.
Conservation Status
The target rat lives in many places. It is also a common species. Scientists believe there are many target rats in the wild. No major threats to their survival have been found.
Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the target rat. Its conservation status is "least concern". This means it is not currently at risk of disappearing.
