Long-haired rat (Rattus legata) (Diplothrix legatus)

Japanese: ケナガネズミ(毛長鼠) - ケナガネズミ（英語表記）Rattus legata(＝Diplothrix legatus)

A large arboreal mouse. Order Rodentia, Family Muridae. A species endemic to Amami-Oshima, Tokunoshima, and Okinawa Island. It is characterized by sparse bristles up to 6 cm long growing on the back of its body. Its body length is about 25 cm, and its tail is longer than its body, measuring about 33 cm. Its back is reddish brown, and its underside is beige-white. The last third of its tail is white and very noticeable. Its hands and feet have long, sharp claws. It lives in forests, moving slowly and carefully through the trees, feeding on nuts, leaves, etc. Its ecology is not known in detail, but due to the decline in the area of natural forests, it is said that its population is very small.

Source: Heibonsha World Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition Information

Japanese:

樹上生の大型のネズミ。齧歯目ネズミ科。奄美大島，徳之島，沖縄島の特産種。体の背面に長さ6cmに達する剛毛がまばらに生えるのが特徴。体長25cm前後，尾は体より長く，尾長33cm前後。体色は背面が赤褐色，腹面はベージュを帯びた白色。尾の先1/3は白色でよく目だつ。手足には長く鋭くとがるつめが生える。森林にすみ，木の上をゆっくりとした慎重な足どりで動いて，木の実，葉などを食べて生活している。詳しい生態はわかっていないが，自然林の面積が減少していることもあって個体数はごく少ないらしい。

出典　株式会社平凡社世界大百科事典第２版について　情報

<<: Kenaf - Kenaf (English spelling)

>>: Tyrophagus nigricans - Tyrophagus nigricans