Bunn's short-tailed bandicoot rat

The Red Pestratte ( Nesokia bunnii ) is a rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ). Sometimes it is done in a separate genus, Erythronesokia.

Red Pestratten are very great representative of Altweltmäuse, they reach a body length 25-27 cm, a tail length of around 21 centimeters and a weight of around 520 grams. Their fur is reddish in color on the back, the flanks are orange, the abdomen and the legs are white. The tail is hairy, the coat is rough.

Red Pestratten live in Iraq, their range includes the wetlands in the lower reaches of the Euphrates and Tigris. Very little is known about the lifestyle, reportedly to swim well, but can also climb.

Although it is the largest representative of the mice -like in Iraq and characterized by its reddish color, it was first described scientifically in 1981 - of the local population but it is known for a long time. Main danger is the draining of the marshes and thus the destruction of the habitat represents the IUCN lists the Red Pestratte as " critically endangered " ( endangered ).