Atlantic forest nectomys, South american water rat, Scaly-footed water rat
Nectomys squamipes, also known as the Atlantic Forest nectomys, South American water rat, or scaly-footed water rat, is a semiaquatic insectivorous rodent species. It is from Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay — found primarily near forest rivers and streams in the Atlantic Forest ecoregion.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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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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NatatorialNatatorial animals are those adapted for swimming. Some fish use their pectoral fins as the primary means of locomotion, sometimes termed labriform...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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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...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
Altricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
Semiaquatic animals are those that are primarily or partly terrestrial but that spend a large amount of time swimming or otherwise occupied in wate...
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PolygynyPolygyny is a mating system in which one male lives and mates with multiple females but each female only mates with a single male.
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PolygamyPolygamy is the practice of breeding with multiple partners. When a male breeds with more than one female at the same time – it is called polygyny....
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starts withNectomys squamipes, or the South American water rat can be distinguished from other Sigmodontinae based on their size and morphology of their hindfeet. They are the largest of the family (average of 216g) and have long hind legs with partially webbed feet to aid in swimming and have completely scaled heels. Nectomys is derived from Greek words meaning "mouse" and "swimming". One unique morphological characteristic is the distinct primitive cuspidate pattern of their cheekteeth, which have hypsodont molars, teeth crowned earlier in life and the outer fold of the upper molars tend to be more isolated as enamel islands. The Nectomys squamipe tends to have relatively longer, less hairy ears and a glossy, long pelage. This pelage is made up of wool hairs and guard hairs and is darker dorsally and tends to be lighter grey on its sides and ventrally. The tail is much less covered in hair, and length is around 75% of the body length.
N. squamipes have a larger skull that occupies well-developed supraorbital ridges and lambdoidal crests, giving the mammal great attachments for jaw muscles and a strong bite. This strong bite is shown useful with its large, strong incisors that are greatly curved.
The South American water rat inhabits elevations from sea level to around 2,000 m, in areas from the northern coast of South America to Brazil, Argentina and the western slope of the Andes. Almost all of these mammals are found a small (2 m) distance from tropical forest streams and rivers. They tend to prefer the moist habitats in forested areas such as swamps or marshes, and are sometimes found inhabiting caves
Nectomys squamipes is a solitary mammal that is active during the night. The males have a much less defined home range and tend to roam, while the females are very territorial.
When swimming and searching for food, the South American water rat is able to detect objects under water and lift them above the surface in order to inspect to see if the object is edible or not using olfaction and sight. When hunting on land it is able to secure prey but pouncing and grasping with its forepaws.
Nests are generally built that are similar to those of birds and consists of dry twigs and leaves woven together. They are built inside dead trees alongside streams and under dense vegetation for protection.
Nectomys squamipes is an omnivorous mammal with a diet ranging from fruits and leaves to insects and small fish. The South American water rat tends to feed more often after the end of the wet season, when food is in abundance. Many newborn water rats will grow bigger during this time period, because they have access to more food than those born during drier periods.
