Large Bamboo Rat

About the Large Bamboo Rat

The large bamboo rat, Sumatran rat, or Indomalayan rat (Rhizomys sumatrensis) is a species of rodent in the family Spalacidae found in Southeast Asia. Bamboo rats are found in bamboo-rich environments of Cambodia, Southern China, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

It primarily resides in bamboo forests, montane forests, and agricultural areas. Individuals can reach lengths of 30 cm (12 in) to 45 cm (18 in) with a 20 cm (7.9 in) tail, and weigh from 1 to 3 kilograms (2.2 to 6.6 lb). All Rhizomys species share a common body form, with a massively broadened head, a plump body with short limbs, strong claws on both the pes and manus, small eyes and ears, and a short, sparsely haired tail that lacks scales (it is instead covered in soft, wrinkled skin).

Rhizomys species have grey–brown to dull orange brown fur, rounded ears that just project through the fur, and granulated plantar pads on the manus and pes (compared to smooth pads in Cannomys badius). Rhizomys sumatrensis (Raffles, 1821) grows to a much greater size than the other species, the tail is relatively longer, and the top of the head bears a distinctive, triangular patch... Wikipedia →