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Published: 2023-10-26 10:11:24 +0000 UTC; Views: 88; Favourites: 5; Downloads: 0
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Description
43. Moonrat (Echinosorex gymnura)IUCN status: Least concern
Physical description
The moonrat has a distinct pungent odour with strong ammonia content. There are two subspecies: E. g. gymnura is found in Sumatra and the Thai-Malay Peninsula; E. g. alba is found in Borneo.
Head and body length is 320 - 400 mm, tail length is 205 - 290 mm, and weight is 870 - 1100 g. It is possibly the largest member of the Erinaceomorpha ( hedgehogs) order, although the European hedgehog likely weighs a bit more at 1000 g and up to 2000 g.
Habitat:
Moonrats inhabit most jungle terrain in southern Myanmar, Peninsular Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo and Sumatra.
Ecology:
Moonrats are nocturnal and terrestrial, lying up under logs, roots or in abandoned burrows during the day. They inhabit moist forests including mangrove and swamp forests and often enter water. They feed on earthworms and various small animals, mostly arthropods.
Conservation status:
The moonrat is not considered a threatened species. The main threat to the moonrat is deforestation activities due to human development for agriculture, plantation, and commercial logging. Moreover, other demands from Penan in Borneo for food and traditional medicinal contribute to decreasing numbers of moonrats in Borneo.
Antique specimen dating back to 1850-1900
Not perfect but a extremely badass skull!