Rattus tanezumi

DISTRIBUTION: Apparently indigenous to SE Asia, from E Afghanistan through highlands of Nepal and N India into S and C China (incl. Hainan Isl), Korea, and mainland Indochina (incl. offshore islands) south to Isthmus of Kra; also probably native to Mergui Arch., Andaman Isls, and some of the Nicobar Isls; also in SW peninsular India. Whether native or introduced to Taiwan and Japan is unknown (but see Yosida and Harada, 1985). Most likely introduced to the Malay Peninsula and islands on the Sunda Shelf (Medway and Yong, 1976) and nearby archipelagos just off of the Shelf, including the Mentawais (Musser and Califia, 1982; Musser and Newcomb, 1983). Certainly introduced to the Cocos-Keeling Isls (Musser and Califia, 1982), the Philippines (Musser, 1977 «), Sulawesi (Musser and Holden, 1991), and numerous islands east through the Moluccas and Nusa Tenggara (Musser, 1970 «, 1972, 1981 c) to W New Guinea (Sody, 1941), and farther east through Micronesia to islands of Eniwetok and Fiji (Johnson, 1962 «, b), but not to the Samoas where R. rattus occurs (Yosida et al., 1985).

Sumber: Order Rodentia - Family Muridae

Habitat. Human settlements and primary and secondary habitats in more tropical parts of its distribution and generally restricted to human settlements, agricultural areas, and cities in colder regions, from sea level to elevations of ¢. 2000 m. Food and Feeding. Oriental House Rats are highly adaptive and omnivorous, with similar food habits as the Roof Rat. They eatjust about anything, although they prefer more plant foods than animal foods and readily eat human trash. Breeding. Reproduction of the Oriental House Rat occurs year-round. Gestation is ¢. weeks, and litters usually have 3 - 7 young. Eyes open at c. 15 days old. Young can eat solid food at ¢. 3 weeks old, are weaned at c. 1 month, and reach sexual maturity as early as three months. Females reach maturity at weights of 80 - 100 g, although a minimum weight of 50 g has been reported. Activity patterns. The Oriental House Ratis primarily nocturnal, but in areas with high densities (cities in particular), it can be seen during the day. Most activity occurs early at night, usually before midnight. It is mostly arboreal and scansorial, generally making nests aboveground in walls, roofs, trees, bushes, and other dark and secluded areas. Movements, Home range and Social organization. Nests usually contain many individuals, with dominant individuals having better access to food and mates. The Oriental House Rat is probably ecologically similar to the Roof Rat; most ecological studies within the R. rattus species complex have been done on Roof Rats in Europe.

Sumber: Muridae

Status and Conservation. Classified as Least Concern on The IUCN Red List. The Oriental House Rat is a vector for many disease and highly invasive, being a risk to native species and an agricultural and urban pest. Throughout its native and introduced distribution, it is vigorously trapped and poisoned to attempt to control populations, which are increasing across its distribution.

Sumber: Muridae