Giant Bushy-Tailed Cloud Rat
Encyclopedia
The Giant Bushy-tailed Cloud Rat or Luzon Bushy-tailed Cloud Rat (Crateromys schadenbergi) is a large, endangered
species of rodent
in the family Muridae
. It is only found in pine
and mossy forest at altitudes of 2000–2740 m (6,561.7–8,989.5 ft) in the Central Cordillera of Luzon
, the Philippines
. Relatively little is known about its behavior, but it is nocturnal, mainly arboreal and feeds on various types of vegetation.
It is rarer than the Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat
, a shorter-haired species that mainly occurs at lower elevations, but locally the Giant Bushy-tailed Cloud Rat remains moderately common in oak
-pine forest. The primary threats are hunting and habitat loss.
The appearance of the Giant Bushy-tailed Cloud Rat has been described as spectacular, and it appears to be an equivalent
of large tropical tree squirrels
, which are not found in Luzon. It weighs 1.35–1.5 kg (3–3.3 lb) and is 73.5–76 cm (28.9–29.9 in) long. The very long, soft fur, which also covers the tail, is typically all black, but some individuals have white patches.
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
species of rodent
Rodent
Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....
in the family Muridae
Muridae
Muridae is the largest family of mammals. It contains over 600 species found naturally throughout Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. They have been introduced worldwide. The group includes true mice and rats, gerbils, and relatives....
. It is only found in pine
Pine
Pines are trees in the genus Pinus ,in the family Pinaceae. They make up the monotypic subfamily Pinoideae. There are about 115 species of pine, although different authorities accept between 105 and 125 species.-Etymology:...
and mossy forest at altitudes of 2000–2740 m (6,561.7–8,989.5 ft) in the Central Cordillera of Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. Relatively little is known about its behavior, but it is nocturnal, mainly arboreal and feeds on various types of vegetation.
It is rarer than the Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat
Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat
The Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat is a large species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is only found in the northern and central part of Luzon, the Philippines. It prefers forest and scrub, but also occurs in degraded habitats such as plantations. It occurs from sea level to an altitude of about...
, a shorter-haired species that mainly occurs at lower elevations, but locally the Giant Bushy-tailed Cloud Rat remains moderately common in oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
-pine forest. The primary threats are hunting and habitat loss.
The appearance of the Giant Bushy-tailed Cloud Rat has been described as spectacular, and it appears to be an equivalent
Convergent evolution
Convergent evolution describes the acquisition of the same biological trait in unrelated lineages.The wing is a classic example of convergent evolution in action. Although their last common ancestor did not have wings, both birds and bats do, and are capable of powered flight. The wings are...
of large tropical tree squirrels
Squirrel
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots , flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia...
, which are not found in Luzon. It weighs 1.35–1.5 kg (3–3.3 lb) and is 73.5–76 cm (28.9–29.9 in) long. The very long, soft fur, which also covers the tail, is typically all black, but some individuals have white patches.