Squirrel-toothed rat

The Squirrel Tooth Rat ( Anisomys imitator ) is a rodent species from the group of Altweltmäuse ( Murinae ).

Squirrel Tooth rats reach a body length 22-29 cm and a tail length of 29-36 centimeters. It weighs 390-580 grams. The short, rough coat is colored black gray on the back, the belly is white gray. The head is black, the arms and legs are gray and brown paws. The long tail is sparsely hairy. These rodents show some peculiarities in the construction of the Teeth: The lower incisors are laterally compressed and only half as wide as the upper incisors, the molars are strikingly small.

Squirrel Tooth rats live in New Guinea, they are found in the rainforests of the island spread to 3500 meters above sea level. Most fish were caught on the ground, but the broad feet suggest that it may also good at climbing trees. The construction of the teeth suggests that feed the animals of hard-shelled nuts.

Although the animals are hunted for their meat and in some of their teeth, but overall the species is IUCN as " not at risk " ( least concern ). Systematically is the type of the Pogonomys group, a predominantly indigenous to New Guinea radiation of Altweltmäuse.

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