Painted Tree Rat

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Painted Tree Rat
Conservation status
DD (?)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Echimyidae Genus: Echimys Species: E. pictus
Binomial name
Echimys pictus Pictet, 1841

The Painted Tree Rat (Echimys pictus) is a species of spiny rat from Brazil.

Contents 1 Identification 2 Similar species 3 Natural History 4 Geographical Range 5 Status 6 Reference

[edit] Identification

The upperparts have striking black and white markings, entirely dirty white except for a sharply defined glossy black saddle on top of back from shoulders to tail and across upper arms, and a wide black stripe on neck and crown forming points on nape and between eyes; the fur is coarse but not bristly, dense, of uneven lengths, brown at base with white or black tips, underfur is long and wavy.

[edit] Similar species

Hairy Dwarf Porcupines (Coendou spp.) have spines, prehensile tails, and no striking black markings. They look like giant hairballs with pink noses.

[edit] Natural History

Found in Atlantic forest and cocoa plantations.

[edit] Geographical Range

South America; E. Brazil, known only from S. Bahia.

[edit] Status

One of the rarest rodents; known only from a few individuals from a small region. An apparently healthy population has recently been discovered.

[edit] Reference

Neotropical Rainforest Mammals A Field Guide, Second Edition Text by Louise H. Emmons, Illustrations by François Feer