Sumichrast's vesper rat

Taxobox | name = Sumichrast's vesper rat
fossil_range = Recent
status = LR/lc | status_system = IUCN2.3
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Mammalia
ordo = Rodentia
familia = Cricetidae
subfamilia = Tylomyinae
tribus = Nyctomyini
genus = "Nyctomys"
genus_authority = Saussure, 1860
species = "N. sumichrasti"
binomial = "Nyctomys sumichrasti"
binomial_authority = (Saussure, 1860)

Sumichrast's vesper rat (scientific name "Nyctomys sumichrasti") is a type of rat found in South Mexico to South-Central America. The adult length is 11-13cm, with a tail length of 8.5-15.5cm. It is one of the more brightly coloured rats, with a pinkish-brown back and white underparts. The first toe on each foot is thumb-like to aid the gripping of twigs. "N. sumichrasti" is unusual in that it is very much arboreal, and builds nests of twigs and leaves with a colony. It is nocturnal and herbivorous, eating plants such as figs and avocados.

References

*Clutton-Brock, Juliet (ed.). 2004. Mouse-like Rodents. Pp150-159 in Animal (David Burnley ed.). London, Dorling Kindersley.
*Musser, G. G. and M. D. Carleton. 2005. Superfamily Muroidea. Pp. 894-1531 "in" Mammal Species of the World a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore.