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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.)
Scared of snakes? No worries… this one’s actually a lizard! Meet the slender glass lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus). While you might spot it coiled up like a snake to intimidate foes, the resemblance is only superficial. Unlike snakes (which have ocular scales called brilles), this reptile has eyelids that can blink. Whereas snakes “hear” through vibrations, the slender glass lizard has ear holes (like humans). And while snakes can dislocate their jaw bones to swallow large prey whole, the slender glass lizard cannot. It typically dines on pint-sized prey like insects and small reptiles.
Photo: frankf, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist
i ate a sentinel berry and became watchful
oh you wanna see big rodents??
the pacarena:
the patagonian mara:
the North American beaver:
the nutria:
the african crested porcupine:
there are many such big guys like this
does anyone else ever think about how the capybara has a drastic impact on the average rodent size? like mice, rats, squirrels, etc. are all roughly the same size, but then the capybara comes along and gives the impression to everyone who forgot it that the average rodent is much bigger than a squirrel
girl you have to stop mythologizing that one really good few months
hey um. this is very awesome and well crafted
3D Model Commission
Character belongs to murdermuffin666 on twitter
Cutie… patootie... agouti? You might know the capybara, but what about its distant cousin the red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina)? This wide-ranging mammal can be found in forests throughout northern South America including Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela. Though smaller than its more famous relative, this hefty rodent can weigh up to 13 lbs (5.9 kg). It dines on a diet of fruit, nuts, and seeds. Like a squirrel, the agouti will bury surplus food to save for a later date. But sometimes this critter forgets to come back for its stash, spreading seeds throughout its habitat as a result.
Photo: Robin Gwen Agarwal, CC BY-NC 4.0, iNaturalist