Northern luzon giant cloud rat

Northern Luzon giant cloud rat(Phloeomys pallidus)

Phylum —chordata
Class — mammalia
Order — rodentia
Family — muridae

Genus –phloeomys

Appearance

This very large rodent weighs 1.9–2.6 kg (4.2–5.7 lb) and is 75–77 cm (29.5–30.5 in) long, including its tail. The color of its relatively long pelage, which also covers the tail, is highly variable, but usually it is mostly very pale brown-grey or white with some dark brown or black patches. They often have a black mask and collar, but can also be entirely white.

Habitat

The Northern Luzon giant cloud rat is only found in northern and central part of Luzon, the Philippines.

Behavior

The Northern Luzon giant cloud rat is nocturnal. Because of its relatively large size, it does not enter traditional small-mammal traps and this has limited research in the species.

Diet

The Northern Luzon giant cloud ratfeeds on various types of vegetation.

Reproduction

Northern Luzon giant cloud rats often live in pairs with one or two dependent young. They give birth in hollow boles of trees (standing or fallen) or in burrows in the ground.

In captivity

​Life expectancy in captivity is up to 13 years.

The cage for keeping must be made of materials that these animals will not be able to chew through. The cell should be vertical and as large as possible. It is decorated with branches, shrubs, and a wooden house.

Food and water for rats should be available constantly. The rat needs 30-40 g of feed per day. You can give oats or wheat, seeds, nuts, herbs, apples, carrots. Sometimes you should give mealworms and gray bread soaked in milk. Every day you need to throw away uneaten food. It is necessary that the rat is given to chew bones or solid wood.

It is useful for rats to run outside the cage.