Seram bandicoot

The Ceram Bandicoot ( Rhynchomeles prattorum ) is a bag of animal from the group of New Guinea bandicoots ( Peroryctinae ). He is on the island of Seram (formerly Ceram ), which belongs to the Moluccas, endemic fossil remains have also been found on Halmahera, another Molukkenisnel. The species is critically endangered or possibly extinct.

The fur of these animals is colored chocolate brown, only chest and forelegs may be whitish. The black tail is nearly hairless. Remarkable are the elongated snout and small, oval-shaped ears. Except for the completely spineless skin type similar to the sting bandicoots. Ceram Bandicoot reach a body length from 25 to 33 centimeters, the tail is 11 to 13 inches long.

From the way so far only seven copies were found, all in 1920 during an expedition by Felix Pratt and his sons, including the nature and owes its Artepithet. The finds were made ​​in the dense rain forest in 1800 meters above sea level, which allows conclusions on the habitat. Otherwise, on the habits of this animal, nothing is known.

Because since 1920 no animals were found, there is also no information on the level of threat. Some researchers believe that the species is extinct, an expedition in 1991 was fruitless to search for Ceram bandicoots. Others argue that since they still might occur in pristine areas, which is consistent with interviews with residents of the island of Seram, claim to have seen the animals. Precise information can not currently do, the IUCN lists the species under " data deficient " ( Insufficient data ).