Ruschi's rat

The Ruschi Rat ( Abrawayaomys ruschii ) is a living in South America rodent species from the group of the New world.

Ruschi rats reach a body length 13-20 cm, a tail length of 9-15 cm and a weight of around 45 to 65 grams. Their fur is yellowish - gray, the head is darker, the belly is whitish. In the coat there are numerous flat spines, especially on the back.

These rodents are several places in Brazil ( Espírito Santo and Minas Gerais ) and northern Argentina ( Misiones ) is known, the exact extent of its range is unclear. Their habitat are rainforests, otherwise little is known about their way of life.

Due to the destruction of their habitat, the species by the IUCN as endangered ( endangered ) is listed.

Their systematic relationships with other Neuweltmäusen are unclear. Maybe they are related to other Sigmodontinae Southeast of Brazil as the Atlantic forest rats ( Delomys ).