Uspallata chinchilla rat facts for kids
The Uspallata chinchilla rat (scientific name: Abrocoma uspallata) is a special type of chinchilla rat. It belongs to the Abrocomidae family. This small animal lives in Argentina. Scientists named Braun and Mares from the University of Oklahoma first found and identified this species in 2002. So far, they have only studied one of these rats.
Quick facts for kids Uspallata chinchilla rat |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Abrocoma
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| Species: |
uspallata
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Contents
What Does the Uspallata Chinchilla Rat Look Like?
This chinchilla rat is a medium-sized animal. Its body, from head to tail, is about 175 mm (6.9 in) long. Its tail adds another 119 mm (4.7 in) to its length.
The fur on its back and head is a mix of grey and brown. Some hairs have black tips, while others have lighter tips. The fur on its belly is grey with creamy tips. Both its front and back feet are covered in white fur.
You can tell this rat apart from other chinchilla rats. It has a greyer back and a lighter belly. It also has bigger ears and larger back feet than its relatives.
Where Does This Rat Live?
The Uspallata chinchilla rat has only been found in two places. These spots are in the northwest part of Mendoza Province in Argentina. They are located in the Sierra de Uspallata mountain range.
This area is part of the Monte Desert. The rats live at altitudes between 1,850 and 2,150 m (6,070 and 7,050 ft). This is a lower elevation than where other chinchilla rats usually live.
The rat's favorite home is in rocky areas. It likes rock outcrops and cracks on steep hillsides. Plants like creosote bush (Larrea tridentata), saltbush (Atriplex lampa), and different types of grasses (Stipa species) grow there. Cacti also grow in its habitat.
What Does the Uspallata Chinchilla Rat Eat?
This chinchilla rat digs shallow burrows among rocks and plants. It is active during the day. This means it looks for food when the sun is out.
It mostly eats fresh shoots and leaves. Its favorite food is the leaves of the creosote bush. This bush has chemicals that are usually harmful. However, this rat has likely eaten it for a very long time. This has helped it become immune to the toxins. It also eats a lot of plants like Lycium and Schinus.
See also
In Spanish: Rata chinchilla de Uspallata para niños
