From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Cuscomys ashaninka is a large species of chinchilla rat, discovered in the Peruvian Andes in 1999. The animal has grey fur, with a white nose and lips, and a line of white fur running down its head. It is 30cm in length, with a tail 20cm.
On its discovery it was placed in the family Abrocomidae, but was considered different enough to existing species for the creation of the genus Cuscomys. Since then, study of the remains of Abrocoma oblativus, a presumably extinct species found of chinchilla rat buried alongside people in Inca tombs, has shown it to be a member of the same genus, and it has been renamed C. oblativus.
[edit] References
- Emmons, L. H. 1999. A new genus and species of abrocomid rodent from Peru (Rodentia: Abrocomidae). American Museum Novitates 3279, 1-14.
- Giant Furry Pets Of The Incas
