Galapagos rice rats
Galapagos rice rats in LOST ZOO
The endemic Galapagos rice rats originally inhabited with 7 species in 3 genera the Galapagos Islands.
They are mainly nocturnal, but can be found active also during the day. They inhabit burrows or rock crevices under bushes or live in lava channels.
They fed on grass, seeds and fruits, but take also insects, worms and other carnivorous food.
The introduction of the ubiquitous Ship rat and the increasing number of settlers on the Galapagos are believed to have led to the extinction of four of the endemic Galapagos Rice rat species.
Except two species of bats the Galapagos Rice rats are the only mammals which have ever lived on the Galapagos Islands before the humans came to the islands. The closest relative is the Yellowish rice rat which lives in coastal Ecuador and Peru.
Body length: 20-30 cm (depending on the species).
Tail length: 11-15 cm.
Habitat:Dry shrub land, living in the burrows or rock crevices under bushes.
Extinction: 1929-1934, when European settlers introduced invasive species to the islands.
