Mesembriomys

Black-footed tree rat ( Mesembriomys gouldii )

The Australian tree rats ( Mesembriomys ) are a rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ). They are nocturnal, tree-dwelling animals that are used in two ways in the west and north of Australia:

• The gold backs Tree Rat ( Mesembriomys macrurus ) lives in northern Western Australia and the northern Northern Territory.
• The black-footed tree rat ( Mesembriomys gouldii ) is widespread throughout northern Australia.

The gold backs tree rat has a head -body length from 24 to 35 centimeters, added a 27 to 39 centimeters long tail. It weighs 430-870 grams. Their fur is yellowish brown on the upper side and stained whitish, the feet are black. The black-footed tree rat is significantly smaller: Your body length is 19 to 24 inches, added 30 to 36 cm tail. It reaches 210-330 grams. Their fur is reddish brown on the upper side and lower side whitish, the feet are black.

The habitat of the tree rats are wooded savannas. Here they spend the day in tree hollows, they pad with leaves. At night, they go looking for food. They must always on the ground to reach the other trees. The food is nuts and seeds, as well as complementary feeding insects.

The IUCN lists the gold backs Tree Rat is " not at risk " ( least concern ) and the black-footed tree rat as "low risk" ( near threatened ).

Systematically, they are part of Pseudomys group, a predominantly Australian Radiation of Altweltmäuse.