Ryukyu long-tailed giant rat

Preparation of a Ryukyu rat ( Diplothrix legata ) at the National Museum of Natural Sciences, Tokyo, Japan

The Ryukyu rat ( Diplothrix legata ) is a rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ).

Ryukyu rats reach a body length 22-33 cm and a tail length from 24 to 33 centimeters. Her long, thick fur is gray, the underside is slightly lighter than the top. The tail is hairy, the small ears are sparsely hairy.

These rodents live on the belonging to Japan Ryukyu Islands, including Amami - Oshima, Tokunoshima and Okinawa. Their habitat is forests, mostly they live between 300 and 400 meters above sea level. Hold primarily on trees.

Main threats to the Ryukyu rat are deforestation and predation by dogs, cats and the entrained little mongoose. The IUCN lists the species as " critically endangered " ( endangered ).