The rabbit rats of
genus
Genus (; : genera ) is a taxonomic rank above species and below family (taxonomy), family as used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In bino ...
''Conilurus'' represent an unusual genus of
Old World rats from
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
,
New Guinea
New Guinea (; Hiri Motu: ''Niu Gini''; , fossilized , also known as Papua or historically ) is the List of islands by area, world's second-largest island, with an area of . Located in Melanesia in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, the island is ...
, and
Melville Island.
Head and body are 16.5–20 cm. Tail length is 18–21.5 cm. The tail is haired and has a distinct tuft at the end. These
nocturnal animal
Nocturnality is a behavior in some non-human animals characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnal meaning the opposite.
Nocturnal creatures generally have hi ...
s are found in habitats ranging from coastal areas, swamps, plains, and forests. They have been reported along the edge of oceanic surf, presumably feeding.
Young have been found to cling to one of the mother's four nipples while she forages. Gestation is 33–35 days.
Species
Genus ''Conilurus'' - rabbit rats
*†
White-footed rabbit rat, ''Conilurus albipes''
*†
Capricorn rabbit rat, ''Conilurus capricornensis''
*
Brush-tailed rabbit rat
The brush-tailed rabbit rat (''Conilurus penicillatus'') is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in Australia and Papua New Guinea.
Taxonomy
The brush-tailed rabbit-rat is one of three ''Conilurus'' species that were extant ...
, ''Conilurus penicillatus''
References
*Duff, A. and A. Lawson. 2004. Mammals of the World A Checklist. New Haven, Yale University Press.
*Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World, Vol. 2. Johns Hopkins University Press, London.
{{Taxonbar, from=Q738245
*
Mammal genera with one living species
Rodent genera