Tokunoshima spiny rat
Rodentia / Family: Muridae
- Total length
- Body length: approx. 15 cm / Tail length: approx. 12 cm
- Range
- Tokunoshima
Renowned for its jumping ability, this rat moves in a hopping manner with both legs together. As seen in the diorama, it jumps to evade attacks from habu vipers.
This species is larger than the spiny rats found on Amami-Oshima and Okinawa Island. In addition to soft fur, it has cornified, spine-like hairs mainly on its back. Remarkably, males are known not to have Y chromosomes.
It is an omnivore, feeding on nuts, fruits, and insects. Though primarily nocturnal, it is reportedly easier to observe during the daytime in summer.
Habitat of This Animal:
A:Forest along the valley - A3:Deep forest
Along the mountain valleys grows a high humidity forest. In such an environment, Quercus miyagii, a species of oak often grows in clusters. Some of these grow more than 20m tall and with trunk diameters exceeding 1m, with largely developed buttress roots. Also, there are many animals and plants preferring humid environments, supporting the abundant biota of Tokunoshima Island together with the forest along mountain ridges.
This A3:Deep forest