King rat (animal)

Uromys rex (English common name: King Rat ) is a very rare rodent species from the genus of mosaic -tailed giant rat ( Uromys ). It is endemic to the island of Guadalcanal, which is part of the Solomon Islands.

Features

Uromys rex is a large rat with silvery gray fur. She sees the extinct species Uromys imperator very similar, but is smaller and the tail is covered with large scales. The head-body length is 257-290 mm, tail length 232-296 mm, the Hinterfußlänge 50 to 55 mm and the ears of length 16 to 20 mm.

Habitat

Uromys rex inhabited primary tropical rain forests at altitudes between 20 and 600 m.

Way of life

Little is known about their way of life. Since they primarily live on trees as opposed to the extinct species Uromys imperator and Uromys porculus, she could escape predation by feral cats.

Status

From Uromys rex only 11 have been known so far. 1987 could catch a copy of Tim Flannery in Poha Valley. The last reliable evidence comes from the year 1989, when two specimens were discovered at Gold Ridge. During an extensive search operation at Mount Makarakomburu in 1990 no copy could be detected. When questioned by locals on Guadalcanal the scientist Roger James received evidence that this type could still occur elsewhere on the island. For this, however, there is no evidence. The main danger, the clearing of the forests by the timber industry and the conversion of forest areas into agricultural areas apply. The IUCN classified the species in the category of " high risk " ( endangered ) a.