Ruschi’s rat  (Abrawayaomys ruschii)

Description

Discovered as recently as 1979, only a few specimens of the enigmatic Ruschi’s rat have ever been captured (3). The upperparts of this medium-sized rat are greyish-yellow, becoming darker on head, and fading to pale yellowish-white on the underparts (2) (3). The fur is composed of fine, soft hairs interspersed with long, thick, bristles, which are banded grey and black (4). The ears are large and mostly bare, while the tail is sparsely covered with short, inconspicuous bristles, except at the tip where they become dense and long, forming a pale tuft (2).

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