False water rat

Xeromys myoides, the False Water-rat, is a species of rodent native to waterways of Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Description

False water rats have markedly long, flattened heads with small eyes and short, rounded ears. These rats possess just two molars on each side of the upper and lower jaw. Their upper incisors are yellow or orange and the lower incisors are white. The head and body length is approximately 100 mm characterised by a hunched body shape. The tail length is 85–100 mm and the hind-foot length is 23–26 mm. The body fur is water-resistant and dark gray, which gradually blends into the white underside. The hands and feet are covered with fine, white hairs. Their feet are not webbed like other water rats (Hydromys chrysogaster), which gives it their common name "false" water rat. The tail is sparsely haired and lacks the white-tip found in the more common water rat. In addition, the tails of these rats, are scaled. The average weight is 42 grams.

Habitat