Carpomys

Carpomys phaeurus (top) and Carpomys melanurus

The Luzon Tree Rat ( Carpomys ) are a rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ). The genus includes two species.

General

Luzon Tree Rat reach a body length 18-20 centimeters and additionally there is a 16 to 21 centimeters long tail. The coat is soft and dense, it is whitish - yellow at the top and brown on the bottom. The wide rear feet are an adaptation to arboreal life.

These rodents live on the Philippine island of Luzon, their habitats are densely forested highlands in 2100 to 2400 meters altitude. They are tree dwellers, otherwise little is known about their way of life.

System

The Luzon Tree rats are part of the Phloeomys group, a primitive, living in the Philippines Radiation of Altweltmäuse.

There are two types:

• Carpomys melanurus is characterized by the black cock. She lives in the region around Mount Data in northern Luzon.
• Carpomys phaeurus has a brownish tail and lives in northern Luzon.

C. phaeurus IUCN not compromised, for C. melanurus are too few data are available.