The ricefield rat ( Rattus argentiventer) is a species of rat found throughout Southeast Asia.
Description
The ricefield rat is a medium-sized rat with a grizzled yellow-brown and black pelage. Its belly is gray in the midline with whiter flanks. The tail is uniformly medium brown. They have chisel-like incisor. The ricefield rat is between long with a tail length of and a skull length of . The average weight of
Rattus argentiventer is around . Female have 12 mammae. Young have an orange-colored tuft in front of each ear.
Behavior
The ricefield rat lives in large groups which consist of a dominant male and high ranking female. When attacked or disturbed they will make squeals and whistles sound.
Rattus argentiventer's main diet includes termites, insects, grasshopper, snails, seeds, nuts, rice, vegetables, and fruits. They feed at night and actively moving at dusk and dawn. During daytime, they can be seen among vegetation, weeds or maturing field. It undergoes 3 week gestation giving birth about 5 to 10 young per litter.
Habitat
Biomes
Distribution
The ricefield rat can be found throughout Southeast Asia consists of Indochina region, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippine, and New Guinea as major rodent pest in rice field area.
Although not a part of staple human diet in Cambodia, a growing market has developed there with most exports going to Vietnam.
Parasites
Parasites of the ricefield rat include:
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Junaidi, P.; F.M.Charlesl; & P.Karen. (1985). A Field Guide To The Mammals Of Borneo. The Sabah Society.
External links
