Waterhouse's swamp rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waterhouse's swamp rat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Scapteromys
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| Species: |
tumidus
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The Waterhouse's swamp rat (Scapteromys tumidus) is a type of rodent that lives partly in water. It is found in South America. This rat lives in southern Brazil, Uruguay, and northern Argentina. You can find it in freshwater and salt marshes. It also lives in the open grasslands of the pampas.
Contents
About the Waterhouse's Swamp Rat
The Waterhouse's swamp rat is a small mammal. It is known for living near water. This makes it a "semiaquatic" animal. It was first described in 1837 by George Robert Waterhouse.
Where These Rats Live
These rats prefer wet places. They live in swamps and marshes. They can also be found in open grassy areas. These areas are often near water sources. Their home range covers parts of South America. This includes Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.
What Makes Them Special
One interesting fact about this rat is its karyotype. A karyotype is like a map of an animal's chromosomes. The Waterhouse's swamp rat has 24 chromosomes (written as 2n = 24). This is fewer than its close relative, S. aquaticus, which has 32 chromosomes.
Conservation Status
The Waterhouse's swamp rat is currently listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. This means that its population is stable. It is not considered to be in danger of disappearing.
See also
In Spanish: Rata acuática para niños
