The Flores giant rat (Papagomys armandvillei ) is a rodent of the family Muridae that occurs on the island of Flores in Indonesia. It has been recorded in Rutong Protection Forest. The species is found in primary, secondary and disturbed forest over a wide range of elevations. Head and body length is 41–45 cm (16–17.5 in) and tail length is 33–70 cm (13–27.5 in). These dimensions are about twice as large as those of a typical brown rat (Rattus norvegicus ), which suggests about eight times the body mass.
Papagomys armandvillei is the only extant species in the genus Papagomys. The specific epithet, armandvillei, honours the Dutch Jesuit missionary Cornelis J. F. le Cocq d'Armandville (1846-1896) who was stationed in the Dutch East Indies, and later in New Guinea.
Guy Musser describes the Flores giant rat as having small, round ears, a chunky body, and a small tail, and as appearing to be adapted for life on the ground with refuge in burrows. It has dense dark hair (pelage). Analysis of the teeth suggests a diet of leaves, buds, fruit, and certain kinds of insects as inferred by large hypsodont teeth.
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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BurrowingA burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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Island endemicIsland endemic animals are found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island. Animals or organisms that are indigenous to a place ar...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Flores giant rat is a large rare rodent about twice as large as those of a typical Brown rat, which suggests about eight times the body mass. It has a dark dense pelage, small, round ears, a chunky body, and a small tail.
These rats are found on the island of Flores in Indonesia and inhabit primary, secondary, and disturbed forests over a wide range of elevations.
Flores giant rats are adapted for life on the ground and live in burrows.
Flores giant rats are omnivores and eat leaves, buds, fruits, seeds, and insects.
Little is known about the mating system and reproductive habits of Flores giant rats.
The main threats to Flores giant rats include hunting and predation by dogs and cats.
The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Flores giant rat total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.
