Here at the RatHole, we will be featuring a new rat each week. You will learn the habitat, range and size of the rat of the week, in addition to seeing a colorful illustration and learning the rodent's latin name. It's just our way of paying a little homage to the critters that inspired the site and offering a bit of educational value to you, our loyal readers. So while you're surfing the site in search of other trivia, don't forget to check back here from time to time to see the rodent of the week.
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Stick-Nest Rat Leporillus conditor |
| RANGE: |
south-central Australia; Franklin Island, South Australia |
| HABITAT: |
arid grassland |
| SIZE: |
body: 5.5-7.5 in; tail: 5.5-7 in |
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Stick-nest rats build huge nests of sticks and debris, each inhabited by a pair or small colony of rats. The rats are vegetarian but may occasionally eat insects. They breed during the wet season, producing litters of 4 to 6 young. |
Rat information compliments of Macmillan Illustrated Animal Encyclopedia
Rat illustration by Graham Allen
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