Northern water rat


The northern water rat is an endangered species of rodent in the family Muridae found in the highlands of New Guinea.

Distribution

The northern water rat is a rodent of the genus Paraleptomys appearing on New Guinea. This species is found at altitudes of in the North Coast Ranges, the mountains Mount Dafonsero, Mount Somoro and Mount Benawa. This species has a small, fragmented distribution and is probably quite rare. They are probably partly active during the day. By Olo, this animal is referred to as "timbri".

Description

P. rufilatus is larger than the other species of the genus, P. wilhelmina, and is less uniform in colour; the throat is white and the flanks are orange-like, while both body parts are brown in P. wilhelmina. The head-body length is, tail length, the hind foot length, ear length and weighs.