White-tailed rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids White-tailed ratTemporal range: Early Pliocene - Recent
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Mystromys
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| Species: |
albicaudatus
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| Synonyms | |
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Brachytarsomys albicauda |
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The white-tailed rat (Mystromys albicaudatus) is a special kind of rodent. It's also known as the white-tailed mouse. This animal is the only member of its unique group, called the subfamily Mystromyinae. It belongs to the family Nesomyidae.
Sometimes, people used to think the white-tailed rat was related to hamsters because they look a bit similar. However, scientific studies that look at their genes (called molecular phylogenetic studies) have shown that they are not closely related at all.
This rat lives only in certain areas of South Africa and Lesotho. It prefers places with shrubs and grasslands. Sadly, it's not a common animal, and its numbers are going down. This is mainly because its natural home is being turned into farmland. Because of this, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has listed the white-tailed rat as an "endangered species".
What Does the White-Tailed Rat Look Like?
The white-tailed rat is a fairly large rodent. Males are about 163 mm (6.4 in) long from head to body. Females are a bit smaller, around 144 mm (5.7 in). Their tail is quite short, about 60 mm (2.4 in).
Their fur is very soft, thick, and feels like wool. The rat has a wide head. Its face is mostly grey, and some individuals have light spots above their eyes and behind their ears. They have long whiskers and round, dark-colored ears.
The fur on their upper body and head is brownish-grey with buff (pale yellow-brown) flecks. Each hair has a grey base and shaft, with a buff or blackish tip. The fur on their belly is whitish-grey. These hairs have a grey base and shaft, with a cream or whitish tip.
The tail is unique because it's colorless and covered in short, white fur. Their front feet have four toes, and their back feet have five. The top parts of their front feet have white hair. The sides and top parts of their back feet also have white hair.
Where Do White-Tailed Rats Live and What Do They Eat?
The white-tailed rat is found only in South Africa and Lesotho. It lives in grasslands and areas with shrubs. During the day, these rats often hide in burrows made by meerkats or in cracks in the soil. They come out at night to find food.
Their diet mainly consists of plants, like seeds. They have also been seen eating insects. Their stomach works in a special way, similar to how a cow's stomach works. They have helpful bacteria in their gut that help them break down their food. Unlike hamsters, white-tailed rats do not have cheek pouches to store food.
