Canariomys

Canariomys bravoi, Museo de la Naturaleza y el Hombre ( Tenerife )

The Canary giant rats ( Canariomys ) are an extinct rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ). There were two types that occurred in the Canary islands.

The Canary giant rat ( Canariomys tamarani ) lived on Gran Canaria. At various points in the center of the island fossil remains of the animal were found, the most recent dating from the era. The giant rat reached a body length of 25 centimeters, was thus about the size of a brown rat, so that the designation seems exaggerated as a " giant rat " - it was, however, significantly greater than the second living on Gran Canaria mouse style, the Canary Lavamaus ( Malpaisomys insularis ). It is believed that the appearance of the people and especially the introduction of domestic cats brought about the extinction of the giant rat.

In addition, is yet another type known: Canariomys bravoi lived on the island of Tenerife. She was fairly tall and weighed about 1 kilogram. However, their remains are older, the most recent date from the late Pleistocene, about 12,000 years ago. Whether their disappearance is related to the human occupation or whether they disappeared before, is not known. Found fossil remains of this animal on the island, especially in deposits in caves and volcanic tubes, where it is often found in association with remains of other species such as giant lizards: Gallotia goliath.