Greater bandicoot rat

The greater bandicoot rat (Bandicota indica) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae found in Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. It can grow to about 27–29 cm without including the tail which can grow to 28 cm. These should not be confused with marsupial bandicoots which inhabit Australia and neighbouring New Guinea, which were named after the bandicota rats.

Greater bandicoot rat
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae
Genus: Bandicota
Species:
B. indica
Binomial name
Bandicota indica
(Bechstein, 1800)

Description

The greater bandicoot rat has a dark gray-brown upper parts with a profusion of long, black hairs. Sides are gray with a few long, black hairs. Short, light gray fur occurs on the ventral surfaces. It has a dark and naked, scaly tail, and dark feet with light-colored claws. The young are much lighter in colour.[2] In Sri Lanka, the bandicoot rat is known as maha uru-meeya - මහ ඌරු මීයා" in the Sinhala language, the meaning of which directly translates to "pig-rat". These are one of several animals called chuchundra in the Nepali language.

Reproduction

A female has between 8 and 10 litters during her life. The young (8–14 rat pups per litter) are born blind and naked. Young reach sexual maturity around 50 to 60 days after birth. The lifespan of adults is around a year.

Behaviour

Large, aggressive bandicoot rats erect their guard hairs on their backs and emit grunts when disturbed. If caged with other bandicoots, it is likely to fight to death within a few hours. Usually, they occupy the outskirts of human dwellings such as compounds and gardens and are commonly found near garbage bins. Their burrowing habits cause great damage to grounds and flooring, as they can also tunnel through brick and masonry. Their characteristic large burrows give away their presence. They are not fastidious eaters, feeding on household refuse, grain, and vegetables, and are very serious pests in poultry farms. They are also a carrier for many diseases.[3]

Parasites

Parasites of Bandicota indica include:

Rat-borne diseases

References
  1. Aplin, K.; Lunde, D. & Molur, S. (2016). "Bandicota indica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T2541A115062578. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T2541A22447469.en.{{cite iucn}}: error: |doi= / |page= mismatch (help)
  2. Yapa, A.; Ratnavira, G. (2013). Mammals of Sri Lanka. Colombo: Field Ornithology Group of Sri Lanka. p. 1012. ISBN 978-955-8576-32-8.
  3. "Bandicoot rat, or larger/greater bandicoot rat". pestcontrolindia.com. rodents. Archived from the original on 2015-01-15. Retrieved 2015-01-15.
  4. Inder Singh, K.; Krishnasamy, M.; Ambu, S.; Rasul, R.; Chong, N.L. (1997). "Studies on animal schistosomes in Peninsular Malaysia: Record of naturally infected animals and additional hosts of Schistosoma spindale". The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 28 (2): 303–307. PMID 9444010.
  5. Singh, K.I.; Krishnasamy, M.; Ambu, S. (1992). "The large bandicoot rat, Bandicota indica, a new host for Schistosoma spindale, Montgomery, 1906, in Peninsular Malaysia". The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health. 23 (3): 537–538. PMID 1488714.
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