Amazon Bamboo Rat

About the Amazon Bamboo Rat

The Amazon bamboo rat (Dactylomys dactylinus) is a species of spiny rat from the Amazon Basin of South America. It is also referred to as coro-coro, Toró, Rato-do-Bambú, or Rata del Bambú in different parts of its range. The bamboo rat prefers to reside in areas of dense vegetation, such as clumps of bamboo or in the canopy. It is an arboreal browser, consuming primarily leaves and spending much of its time off the ground. Because the Amazon bamboo rat spends most of its time in heavily forested areas, it is difficult to observe, and not much is known about its habits.

The Amazon bamboo rat has a body length of over 60 centimetres (24 in) from the nose to the tip of the tail, and weighs approximately 600–750 grams (21–26 oz). The rat has a stout appearance, olive-grey fur streaked with black, and a tail with short, fine hairs. It has elongated digits, which are an adaptation for the rat's frequent need to climb, hence the species name: dactylinus derives from the ancient greek word δάκτυλος (dáktulos), meaning "finger". Its paws are covered with hundreds of bumps called tubercles to aid in climbing. Despite being nocturnal, the Amazon bamboo rat has weak... Wikipedia →