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Moonrat, Raffle's gymnure - ECHINOSOREX GYMNURUS
Possibly Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Moonrat": "Moonrat" probably refers to the rat-like appearance of this light-colored animal that would stand out in the moonshine, but that is just a guess. "Gymnure" is unknown.
Description: A narrow animal the size of a house cat, with a long pointed muzzle, the moonrat has a long, tapering, sparsely-haired, scaly tail and short limbs. It fur is short and soft with long coarse guard hairs throughout. It is usually black with a white head and neck, although occasionally it is almost entirely white. Head and body length is 10 to 18", and it weighs about 1 to 3 lbs.
Location: Southeast Asia.
Habitat: Terrestrial. Tropical lowland and foothill forests.
Behavior: The largest living insectivore, Raffle's moonrat was previously placed in the genus Gymnurus. White specimens from Borneo were thought to be a separate species. This strictly terrestrial animal shelters among tree roots, in hollow logs, or under rocks, and frequents moist areas such as stream edges. It is solitary and active both day and night, foraging for earthworms, beetles, roaches, termites, insect larvae, millipedes and centipedes, spiders, scorpions, and various aquatic invertebrates and larval amphibians. The moonrat is notorious for its characteristic onion or rotten-garlic odor, produced by an anal glandular secretion.
Reproduction: Little is known of its reproductive habits. Pregnant females have been recorded in May, June, September, and November, suggesting either year-round or twice-yearly breeding. There are usually two young per litter.
Go to the Insectivores Page to get a general discussion of these animals.
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