| Bunny rat | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Cricetidae |
| Subfamily: | Sigmodontinae |
| Genus: | Reithrodon |
| Species: | R. auritus |
| Binomial name | |
| Reithrodon auritus (G. Fischer, 1814) | |
The bunny rat, [1] or hairy-soled conyrat [2] (Reithrodon auritus) is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae, native to southern South America.
The bunny rat is a heavily built rat-like rodent, with a total length of 20 to 27 cm (7.9 to 10.6 in), including the 7 to 10 cm (2.8 to 3.9 in) tail. Adults weigh an average of about 80 g (2.8 oz). The body is covered in long soft hair, and the tail is also hairy, ending in a distinct tuft. The head is relatively large, with prominent rounded, hairy, ears. The hind legs are unusually long for a rat, with the first and fifth toes reduced in size, giving them an appearance similar to those of a rabbit. The fur is dark brown to buff-grey over the upper parts of the body, becoming paler, sometimes almost white, on the underparts. Without genetic analysis, the bunny rat can only be reliably distinguished from its close relative, the naked-soled conyrat, by the fact that the soles of its feet are hairy. [3]
Bunny rats are widespread in Argentina and eastern Chile south of about 36°S, and are found in a few patchy localities in northern Argentina and possibly parts of Uruguay. Bunny rats have also been reported from the Falkland Islands. Within this region, they are most commonly found in open grasslands such as steppe and prairie, but can also be found in shrublands, and even beech forest, below about 3,000 m (9,800 ft). Four subspecies are currently recognised, although it is possible that the bunny rat represents a species complex, rather than a single species: [1] [3]
Bunny rats feed almost entirely on grass, and can consume a mass of vegetation equal to their own body weight in a single night. [5] Although primarily nocturnal, they may also be active during the day, depending on the weather, and spend most of their waking hours feeding. They sleep in tunnels, which are about 4 to 7 cm (1.6 to 2.8 in) wide, and have multiple entrances. In many cases, they may co-opt tunnels dug by other rodent species, and may even share them with the original inhabitant. [5]
Bunny rats can reach population densities of 10–15 per hectare (4.0–6.1/acre) in ideal conditions. They are common prey for owls, and are thought to have a maximum lifespan of 15 months. [3] They breed between September and March, but most commonly in the spring, and give birth to litters of up to eight pups. Females reach sexual maturity two months after birth, although this may be longer for males. [3] [5]
The montane grass mouse is a rodent species from South America. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Sooretamys angouya, also known as the rat-headed rice rat, and Paraguayan rice rat, is a rodent species from South America. It is found in northeastern Argentina, southern Brazil and Paraguay in forested areas within the Atlantic Forest and cerrado. Since 2006, it has been classified as the only species in the genus Sooretamys; previously, it was included in the genus Oryzomys. Its taxonomic history has been complex, with the names Oryzomys angouya, Oryzomys buccinatus, and Oryzomys ratticeps in use for various parts of the species at different times. Some variation in its karyotype has been reported, with 2n = 80 to 82 and FN = 88 to 90.
The mamore arboreal rice rat,, also known as the Mamore oecomys is an arboreal species of rodent in the genus Oecomys of family Cricetidae. Its distribution extends over much of Bolivia and into nearby Brazil and Paraguay. Although Oecomys has been recorded from Argentina, it is uncertain whether those records represent O. mamorae. It is found in a variety of habitats at elevations from 200 to 2100 m, where it feeds on fruit and green seeds.
Oligoryzomys chacoensis, also known as the Chacoan colilargo or Chacoan pygmy rice rat, is a rodent species from South America. It is found in the Gran Chaco region of southeastern Bolivia, southwestern Brazil, Paraguay, and northeastern Argentina. Its karyotype has 2n = 58 and FNa = 74.
Oligoryzomys flavescens, also known as the flavescent colilargo or yellow pygmy rice rat is a species of rodent in the genus Oligoryzomys of family Cricetidae. It is found in southern South America, occurring in southern Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, and northeastern Argentina. Its karyotype has 2n = 64-66 and FNa = 66–70.
Waterhouse's swamp rat is a semiaquatic rodent species from South America. It is found in southern Brazil, Uruguay and northern Argentina, where it lives in freshwater and salt marshes, as well as open grassland of the pampas. Its karyotype has 2n = 24, substantially lower than its closest relative S. aquaticus with 2n = 32.
Maxomys is a genus of rodents, widespread in Southeast Asia. They are mid-sized rodents, similar to rats, that live on the ground of tropical rainforests. There they build nests, padded with fallen leaves from trees. They feed on roots, fallen fruit, and other plants, as well as insects. All species are shy and avoid food from humans.
The intelligent grass mouse or Patagonian akodont is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. The species is found in Argentina and Chile.
The Mindanao hairy-tailed rat is one of five species of rodent in the genus Batomys. It is in the diverse family Muridae. This species is found only in the Philippines.
Chelemys macronyx, also known as the Andean long-clawed mouse or Andean long-clawed akodont, is a species of rodent in the genus Chelemys of family Cricetidae. It is native to Argentina and Chile, where it is found in Patagonian Nothofagus forest and adjacent grasslands.
Geoxus valdivianus, also known as the long-clawed mole mouse or Valdivian long-clawed akodont, is a species of rodent in the tribe Abrotrichini of family Cricetidae found in the Valdivian temperate rain forests and Magellanic subpolar forests of Argentina and Chile. It is one of two species in the genus Geoxus.
Nesokia is a genus of rodent in the family Muridae endemic to West Asia and Central Asia known as the short-tailed bandicoot rats.
Oligoryzomys destructor, also known as Tschudi's colilargo or the destructive pygmy rice rat, is a species of rodent in the genus Oligoryzomys of family Cricetidae. It is found along the eastern Andes from southern Colombia, through Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia into northern Argentina. Its karyotype has 2n = 60 and FNa = 76.
Oligoryzomys magellanicus, also known as the Patagonian colilargo and the Magellanic pygmy rice rat, is a species of rodent in the genus Oligoryzomys of the family Cricetidae. It is found in the southernmost parts of Argentina and Chile, including Tierra del Fuego and other outlying islands. Its karyotype has 2n = 54 and FNa = 66.
The Buenos Aires leaf-eared mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found only in Argentina.
Reithrodon is a genus of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It contains the following living species:
Oligoryzomys brendae, also known as Brenda's colilargo, is a South American species of rodent in the genus Oligoryzomys. It is found only in Tucumán Province in northwestern Argentina, but its taxonomic status requires revision.
Oligoryzomys fornesi, also known as Fornes' colilargo, is a species of rodent in the genus Oligoryzomys of family Cricetidae. It is found from northeastern Brazil via Paraguay into northeastern Argentina. Its karyotype has 2n = 62 and FNa = 64.
The central leaf-eared mouse is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is known only from central Argentina. Prior to 1994, it was considered a subspecies of G. griseoflavus. Then referred to as G. centralis, as of 2019 it was referred to as G. chacoensis by the IUCN.
The naked-soled conyrat is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is an herbivore of grasslands in northern Argentina, southern Brazil, and Uruguay.
