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Marsh rice rat - ORYZOMYS PALUSTRIS
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Rat": "Rat" comes from the Old English word
"raet," for the animal.
Location: Southeastern United States as tar west as Texas
Habitat: Marshlands and wetlands.
Description: The color of the upper body is grayish brown, but the lower parts are usually gray. The tail is long and has scales - gray on top and paler on the underside. The coat is soft and the fur short. There are 16 teeth. Length of head and body up to six inches, and the tail about the same. It weighs about three ounces.
Behavior: This is a gregarious species which is primarily nocturnal but can be seen frequently during the day. Its presence is closely associated with water, and it is a skillful swimmer and diver. It builds a nest of grasses and sedges, which is located in vegetation above the highest water level. It occasionally digs a burrow in the ground. It feeds on seeds, grass, fruit, and possibly insects.
Reproduction: The female has 8 nipples. It reproduces several times throughout the year. Gestation lasts 25 days. Three or four blind and hairless young are born in each litter.
Note: The populations of this species are subject to dramatic numerical fluctuations. This rat can cause considerable damage in southern rice paddies.
Go to the Rodents Page to learn more about all the gnawing animals.
Or go to the Rat Index to study other
rats.
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