#hypogeomys antimena

[cypherdecypher]

Animal of the Day!

Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat (Hypogeomys antimena)

(Photo by Andrey Giljov)

Conservation Status- Critically Endangered

Habitat- Central-western Madagascar

Size (Weight/Length)- 1 kg; 30 cm; 25 cm tail

Diet- Fruits; Seeds; Bark

Cool Facts- The malagasy giant jumping rat might be the most rabbit-looking rodent. Despite their relatively small size, these rats can leap 90 centimeters directly into the air to avoid predators. Spending their days inside burrows, their homes are large complexes with many different entrances to allow for quick escapes. Malagasy giant jumping rats are not monogamous but pairs will stick together to raise their offspring after the breeding season. Sadly, due to habitat destruction and large populations of feral cats, these rats are confined to only 200 square kilometers of protected forest. Multiple off site captive breeding programs in zoos and sanctuaries hope to preserve this absolutely adorable rat.

Rating- 13/10 (Hippity hoppity, get off my property.)

[animalids]

Malagasy giant jumping rat (Hypogeomys antimena)

Photo by Chien Lee

[mastomysowner]

Prospect Park Zoo

The Malagasy giant rat (Hypogeomys antimena), also known as the votsotsa or votsovotsa, is a nesomyid rodent found only in the Menabe region of Madagascar. It is an endangered species due to habitat loss, slow reproduction, and limited range (200 square kilometres north of Morondava, between the rivers Tomitsy and Tsiribihina). Pairs are monogamous and females bear only one or two young per year.

They can leap almost 3 ft (91 cm) in the air, for which reason they are sometimes called giant jumping rats.

[kateosaurus-rex]

I finally caught one of the two Malagasy giant rats (Hypogeomys antimena) awake during the day. These guys are also known as giant jumping rats because they can jump up to 3 feet straight up! #giantrat #mammalsofmadagascar #mammal #madagascar #omahazoo

[animalids]

Malagasy giant rat (Hypogeomys antimena)

Photo by Allan Hopkins