Irenomys

The Chile - rat ( Irenomys tarsalis ) is a living in southern South America rodent species from the group of the New world.

Chile rats reach a body length from 10 to 14 centimeters, the tail is 13 to 19 inches long. The weight is around 30 to 70 grams. Their fur is reddish - gray at the top, the bottom is light pink. The ears are dyed in contrasting black, the paws are white.

These rodents live in central and southern Chile (including Chiloé Island ) and adjacent regions of Argentina. Their habitat is moist woods.

They are nocturnal and keep mainly to the trees. Their diet consists of fruit, seeds and green parts of plants. The populations can probably fluctuate significantly depending on the food supply. Reproduction takes place between October (spring) and June (autumn), the litter size is three to six pups.

According to IUCN, the Chile - rat is not threatened, but this information is outdated.

The systematic position within the New world is unclear. It is classified in the Sigmodontinae, where she is listed as incertae sedis. Morphologically it resembles the leaf ear mice and related species ( Phyllotini ), but the molecular genetic findings contradicts this.