Bennett’s chinchilla rat  (Abrocoma bennettii)

Description

One of the many remarkable new species brought back to England by the famous naturalist Charles Darwin (3). Bennett’s chinchilla rat is named for its soft, dense chinchilla-like fur, which is silvery-grey on the upperparts becoming white on the underside, with a yellowish patch on the chest. In contrast to the chinchilla, however, the snout is elongated and the ears are round, giving a rat-like appearance. The limbs are short, with four toes on the front feet and five on the hind feet, each tipped with small, weak claws. Stiff hairs project over the three middle toes of the hind feet, forming a grooming comb, which may be used to remove dirt and parasites from the fur, and to assist in moving loose soil during digging (2).

Darwin Now is the British Council's contribution to the international celebration of the 200th anniversary of Darwin's birth and the 150 year anniversary of the publication of On The Origin of Species
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