Rufous rat-kangaroo

Red kangaroo rats ( Aepyprymnus rufescens )

The Red kangaroo rats ( Aepyprymnus rufescens ) is a Beutelsäugerart from the family of rat kangaroos ( Potoroidae ). It is the largest and most widespread representative of its family.

Description

Compared to the other rat kangaroos the skull of these animals is rather broad and short, the hind legs are much shorter than the actual kangaroos as in almost all rat kangaroos. The front feet bear claws, used for digging out the food. The fur of these animals is colored gray at the top, often with a reddish shimmer, the underside is lighter, almost whitish. Characteristic features are the pointed ears, the back is black hairy. Red kangaroo rats reach a body length 38-52 centimeters and a weight of up to 3.5 kg, the females are significantly heavier than the males.

Dissemination and lifestyle

Red kangaroo rats are located on the east coast of Australia, their range extended from the north-eastern Queensland into northeastern Victoria. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including open forests and grasslands. They are nocturnal and rest during the day in self-built nests. These nests are cone-shaped and consist of grasses, twigs and ferns, they are usually in hollow trees or under bushes, often built in open terrain. An animal can have up to five such nests that uses it again and again.

Red kangaroo rats live solitary usually, but sometimes it comes in loose, short-lived merger of several animals without social structures. However, males often react very aggressively to fellow males.

These animals are omnivorous, but feed mainly on plants. With its front paws they dig for roots and fungi, also grasses and plant stems are on the menu. Occasionally, they will also take insects and carrion larvae to himself.

Reproduction

After an approximately 22 - to 24 - day gestation, the female gives birth to usually a single young is born. Newborn animals weigh about one gram, and spend the first four months of life in the bag. Then they remain about two months after their mother before they are self-employed. Sexual maturity occurs at around one year. The maximum age of an animal in captivity was eight years.

Threat

Red kangaroo rats are relatively common in their area of ​​distribution. Unlike other rat kangaroos they are also found often near cattle pastures. In the south they are rare - they have disappeared from Victoria; but generally they are not among the endangered species.