Turkestan rat

Rattus pyctoris is a mammal in the genus of rats within the Rodents ( Rodentia ). It is distributed over large parts of Asia.

Features

Rattus pyctoris is a small to medium-sized rat with a head-body length of 14 to 16.5 inches and a tail length from 13.5 to 17.8 inches. Thereby, the length of the tail as the rest of the body length or even longer. The coat is short and shaggy. The back color is matte gray and the sides of the body a little brighter, the transition is clearly demarcated. The belly is yellowish- white to white. The abdominal hair according yellowish-white, but there are, especially in the area of ​​the chest and throat areas with gray hair approaches. The tail is dark brown on the upper side and especially on the underside of the caudal peduncle slightly lighter brown. The feet are on top of misty white, but without the pearlescent the feet of the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus ) and the Himalayan rat (Rattus nitidus ). The hind feet to a length 32 to 34 mm, the ears, a length of 20 to 25 millimeters.

Dissemination

The distribution area of Rattus pyctoris ranges from the Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Sichuan and Guangdong province in northern Myanmar, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the north of Tajikistan, eastern Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, the southeast of Kazakhstan, the north and east of Afghanistan to the eastern and central region of Iran.

The altitudinal distribution here is 1200-4250 meters.

Way of life

Rattus pyctoris is a type that is specifically tailored to mountain regions. She lives in rocky areas, but also in the culture of the country and often near settlements.

System

Rattus pyctoris is classified as a separate species within the rat ( genus Rattus) and there together with the brown rat (Rattus norvegicus ) and the Himalayan rat (Rattus nitidus ) in the norvegicus group. Historically, it has been associated both with the black rat (Rattus rattus ) and the Himalayan rat. Within the species, no subspecies are distinguished addition to the nominate form.

Threats and conservation

The species is classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources ( IUCN) due to the large distribution area and the high inventory levels as not at risk ( " least concern "). Threats to the stocks are not known.