Gracile Atlantic spiny rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gracile Atlantic spiny rat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Trinomys
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| Species: |
gratiosus
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| Subspecies | |
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T. g. bonafidei (Moojen, 1948) |
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Trinomys gratiosus is a type of spiny rat that lives in Brazil. It belongs to a family of animals called Echimyidae, which are mostly found in South America. This particular spiny rat lives in southeastern Brazil, from the south side of the River Doce in Espirito Santo, all the way south to Teresopolis in Rio de Janeiro.
Understanding the Spiny Rat Family
Scientists are always learning more about how different animals are related. For the group of spiny rats called Trinomys, scientists are still working to fully understand their family tree. It seems that these South American spiny rats might be older than first thought. Even though they look similar, different groups of them have changed a lot over time. This means their family relationships are quite complex!
Is the Spiny Rat Safe?
Good news! In 2008, a group called the IUCN Red List checked on Trinomys gratiosus. They decided it was a species of "Least Concern". This means it's not currently in danger.
Here's why:
- There seem to be many of these spiny rats.
- Their numbers are not dropping quickly.
- The places where they live are not under a big threat right now.
This is great because it means they are doing well in their natural home.
What's in a Name?
You might wonder why this animal doesn't have a simple English name like "dog" or "cat." Since Trinomys gratiosus lives only in Brazil and isn't well-known in English-speaking countries, it's hard to pick a common English name.
Some names have been suggested, like "Gracile Atlantic spiny-rat" or "graceful spiny-rat." However, these names don't quite fit. The Latin word "gratiosus" means "favored" or "gracious," not "graceful" or "gracile." So far, experts agree that the best way to refer to this animal in English is by its scientific name, Trinomys gratiosus.
