Silhouette: T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic
Bolivian Bamboo Rat
Dactylomys boliviensis
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassMammalia (Mammals)
- OrderRodentia (Rodents)
- FamilyEchimyidae (Spiny Rats and Hutias)
- GenusDactylomys (Amazonian Bamboo Rats)
- SpeciesDactylomys boliviensis (Bolivian Bamboo Rat)
About the Bolivian Bamboo Rat
The Bolivian bamboo rat (Dactylomys boliviensis) is a species of spiny rat from South America, particularly the southwest Amazon basin. A large, olivaceous rodent, it is nocturnal and feeds almost exclusively on bamboo. The Bolivian bamboo rat is one of the largest species of spiny rat, with an adult head-body length of about 30 cm (12 in) and a tail 41 cm (16 in) long. It is also unusual in having a hairless tail, soft (rather than spiny) fur, and only four visible toes on the fore-feet.
Most of the body is covered in soft grizzled greyish hair, and marked with blackish streaks. A darker line runs down the centre of the back, while the underparts have only sparse, white fur. The long tail is hairless, except at the base, and covered with large, pentagonal scales. The fifth toe on the forefeet is vestigial, consisting only of a tiny claw located on a tubercle at the side of the foot. The third and fourth toes are widely separated, giving the rat a grasp that has been likened to that of primates. The head has a distinctive blunt nose, and long whiskers. There is also a strong-smelling scent gland just above the sternum.
Bolivian bamboo... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Bolivian Bamboo Rat in Manu National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Manu National Park
Amazon Bamboo Rat
Dactylomys dactylinus
Spiny Tree Rat
Mesomys hispidus
Barbara Brown’s Brush-tailed Rat
Isothrix barbarabrownae
Capybara
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
Bolivian Squirrel
Sciurus ignitus
Brown Agouti
Dasyprocta variegata
Spotted Paca
Cuniculus paca
Southern Amazon Red Squirrel
Sciurus spadiceus
Bicolor-spined Porcupine
Coendou bicolor
Long-tailed Porcupine
Coendou longicaudatus
Pacarana
Dinomys branickii
Amazon Dwarf Squirrel
Microsciurus flaviventer
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manu National Park | 🇵🇪 Peru |
More parks will be added in future updates.
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Bolivian Bamboo Rat in Manu National Park?
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Bolivian Bamboo Rat sighting in Manu National Park, based on 5 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Bolivian Bamboo Rat in Manu National Park?
December has the highest sighting rate for Bolivian Bamboo Rat in Manu National Park in our monthly data.