Sumichrast's Vesper Rat
Nyctomys sumichrasti
Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderRodentia (Rodents)
- FamilyCricetidae (Hamsters, Voles, Lemmings, and Allies)
- GenusNyctomys
- SpeciesNyctomys sumichrasti (Sumichrast's Vesper Rat)
About the Sumichrast's Vesper Rat
Sumichrast's vesper rat (Nyctomys sumichrasti) is a rodent of the family Cricetidae found from southern Mexico to Panama. It is named for François Sumichrast, the collector of the first specimen, and its closest relative is probably Hatt's vesper rat, a similar, but slightly smaller, species from the Yucatán Peninsula.
Sumichrast's vesper rat is a relatively small rat, with an adult length of 10 to 13 cm (3.9 to 5.1 in), not including the tail, which is only slightly shorter. Males and females are of similar size, with both weighing between 220 to 245 g (7.8 to 8.6 oz). It is one of the more brightly coloured rats, with a reddish or orange back and creamy to white underparts. The rats have a thick pelt of soft fur, which extends over the entire length of the tail, and is absent only on the soles of the feet. The eyes are relatively large, and surrounded by a narrow ring of black hair, while the whiskers are long and the ears small.
To aid in climbing, the claws are compressed and curved, and the first toe on each foot is thumb-like. Sumichrast's vesper rat is found from southern Jalisco and Veracruz in Mexico through much of Central... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Sumichrast's Vesper Rat in Arenal Volcano National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Arenal Volcano National Park
Short-Nosed Harvest Mouse
Reithrodontomys brevirostris
Watson's climbing rat
Tylomys watsoni
Southern Cotton Rat
Sigmodon hirsutus
Variegated Squirrel
Sciurus variegatoides
Central American Agouti
Dasyprocta punctata
Red-tailed Squirrel
Sciurus granatensis
Mexican Hairy Dwarf Porcupine
Sphiggurus mexicanus
Central American Dwarf Squirrel
Microsciurus alfari
Spotted Paca
Cuniculus paca
Deppe's Squirrel
Sciurus deppei
Nicaraguan Pocket Gopher
Orthogeomys cherriei
Armored Rat
Hoplomys gymnurus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Braulio Carrillo National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 2 | Arenal Volcano National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 3 | Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 4 | Cusuco National Park | 🇭🇳 Honduras | |
| 5 | Pico Bonito National Park | 🇭🇳 Honduras | |
| 6 | Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 7 | Chirripó National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 8 | Piedras Blancas National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 9 | Masaya Volcano National Park | 🇳🇮 Nicaragua | |
| 10 | Rincón de la Vieja National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 11 | Santa Rosa National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 12 | Tenorio Volcano National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 13 | Cerro Azul Meámbar National Park | 🇭🇳 Honduras | |
| 14 | Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 15 | Carara National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 16 | Calakmul Biosphere Reserve | 🇲🇽 Mexico | |
| 17 | Corcovado National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 18 | La Amistad International Park (Panama) | 🇵🇦 Panama |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Sumichrast's Vesper Rat in Arenal Volcano National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Sumichrast's Vesper Rat sighting in Arenal Volcano National Park, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Sumichrast's Vesper Rat in Arenal Volcano National Park?
January has the highest sighting rate for Sumichrast's Vesper Rat in Arenal Volcano National Park in our monthly data.