Ashy chinchilla rat

Ashy chinchilla rat
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Abrocomidae
Genus: Abrocoma
Species: A. cinerea
Binomial name
Abrocoma cinerea
Thomas, 1919

The ashy chinchilla rat (Abrocoma cinerea) is a species of chinchilla rats in the family Abrocomidae found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.

Description

Their total length is 21–43 cm, with the body being 15–25 cm and the tail being 6–8 cm. They have soft, thick, silver fur on the top of their bodies, and white or yellow fur on their abdomens. They have four toes on their front feet, and five toes on their back feet.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The ashy chinchilla rat is endemic to land at high elevations in southeastern Peru, southwestern Bolivia, northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. Its altitudinal range is from about 3,850 to 5,000 metres (12,600 to 16,400 ft) above sea level. It lives in rocky areas, digging its burrows at the base of bushes, under rocks, among shale or at the base of stone walls.[1]

Behavior and diet

Ashy chinchilla rats live underground, with a group of up to six individuals occupying one burrow. Several colonial burrows may be grouped close together. Little is known of their breeding habits but the gestation period is about 118 days and one or two young are born at a time.[2]

They are herbivores, so they eat seeds, fruit, and nuts, especially Thola spp. and Yareta. They are sociable animals and make squeaking and grunting noises when they are scared or fighting, and gurgling sounds when grooming each other.[2]

Status

Ashy chinchilla rats are sometimes hunted for their pelts, which are sold in local markets, sometimes to tourists.[2] They have a large range and are plentiful within that area. The population is presumed to be large and the population trend is steady. The animals are able to adapt to some degree of habitat modification and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated their conservation status as being of "least concern".[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Dunnum, J.; Bernal, N.; Vivar, E.; Jayat, J. & Ojeda, R. (2008). "Abrocoma cinerea". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2008. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Ashy Chinchilla Rat (abrocoma Cinerea): Species Account". Retrieved 2015-08-04.
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