Lifespan, longevity, and ageing
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Maximum longevity: 2.3 years (captivity)
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- Joao Pedro de Magalhaes
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- de Magalhaes, J. P.
Biology
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A nocturnal species, Bennett's chinchilla rat is a proficient climber, scaling trees and bushes in search of leaves, fruit and the various other plant materials on which it feeds. Bennett's chinchilla rat appears to be colonial, and lives in relatively high densities in burrows in the ground, or in rock crevices. These burrows are frequently shared with another rodent species, the degu (Octodon degus) (2). Communication between individuals and colonies appears to be facilitated through the production of urine, which is extremely thick, and leaves a reddish brown, strong-smelling deposit (4). Like other small rodents in the region, Bennett's chinchilla rat is preyed upon by foxes and birds of prey, such as owls (5).
The breeding season of Bennett's chinchilla rat is unclear, but pregnant females have been found in June and July, and a mother carrying two newborn offspring was encountered in August. This species has been known to live for up to two years and four months in captivity (2).
Conservation
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While there are no known conservation measures specifically targeting Bennett's chinchilla rat, it occurs in four protected areas: Los Cipreses, Rio Blanco, Las Chinchillas and Bosque Fray Jorge (1). Bennett's chinchilla rat is also benefitting from the conservation efforts of the organisation Save the Wild Chinchillas, which is working to conserve the long-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) by restoring habitat in north-central Chile (6).
Description
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One of the many remarkable new species brought back to England by the famous naturalist Charles Darwin (3). Bennett's chinchilla rat is named for its soft, dense chinchilla-like fur, which is silvery-grey on the upperparts becoming white on the underside, with a yellowish patch on the chest. In contrast to the chinchilla, however, the snout is elongated and the ears are round, giving a rat-like appearance. The limbs are short, with four toes on the front feet and five on the hind feet, each tipped with small, weak claws. Stiff hairs project over the three middle toes of the hind feet, forming a grooming comb, which may be used to remove dirt and parasites from the fur, and to assist in moving loose soil during digging (2).
Habitat
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Bennett's chinchilla rat inhabits coastal hills and the western slopes of the Andes Mountains, where it occupies rocky scrubland (1) (2) (4).
Range
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Endemic to Chile, the range of Bennett's chinchilla rat extends from Copiapó, in the north, to Rio Biobio, in the South, from sea-level to elevations of 2,000 metres (1)
Status
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Classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List (1).
Threats
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Due to its widespread distribution, Bennett's chinchilla rat is not currently considered to be threatened. Nevertheless, ongoing habitat loss and degradation due to mining, tourism and agricultural expansion may be having an impact on this species' population (1). Bennett's chinchilla rat is also hunted for sale within the local fur trade, and may be passed off as chinchilla fur to travellers (2).
Bennett's chinchilla rat
provided by wikipedia EN
Bennett's chinchilla rat (Abrocoma bennettii) is a species of chinchilla rat in the family Abrocomidae.[2] It is found only in Chile where its habitat is Mediterranean-type scrub on the western side of the Andes. The IUCN has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".
Description
Bennett's chinchilla rat is the largest species in the genus, with an average head-and-body length of 206 mm (8 in) and a tail about 80% of this. As with other members of the genus, the fur is long, dense and soft, and the ears prominent and rounded. The feet are broad but short, with four toes on the front feet and five on the hind; the small, nail-like claws are hidden by tufts of stiff bristles.[3]
The dorsal pelage is dark brown tinged with grey, slightly paler on the flanks, and the hairs on the underparts have dark grey bases and pale grey tips; this gives them a frosted appearance and distinguishes this species from other members of the genus which have pale underparts. The tail is well-haired and a uniform colour. The dorsal surfaces of both fore and hind feet are clad in whitish fur while the undersurfaces are pigmented but un-furred. A sternal gland is present on the chest and is indicated by a patch of white hairs in some individuals.[3]
Ecology
The species is nocturnal and lives in a burrow. It often shares pre-existing burrows with the common degu (Octodon degus), the Chilean rock rat (Aconaemys fuscus) or the long-tailed chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera).[4] Alternatively it digs its own burrow, often under boulders. It is an efficient climber on both rocks and bushes, and it feeds on shoots and leaves, grasses and seeds.[4]
Status
A. bennettii has an extensive range in Chile on the western slopes of the Andes where it is found at altitudes up to about 2,000 m (6,600 ft). The habitat is being degraded by conversion to agricultural land and by mining, but this chinchilla rat is present in several protected areas and any downward trend in populations is slow, so the International Union for Conservation of Nature has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".[1]
References
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^ a b Roach, N. (2016). "Abrocoma bennettii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T42656A22182459. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T42656A22182459.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
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^ Woods, C.A.; Kilpatrick, C.W. (2005). "Infraorder Hystricognathi". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 1574. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
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^ a b Patton, J. L.; Emmons, L. H. (9 March 2015). Patton, J. L.; Pardiñas, U. F. J.; D'Elía, G. (eds.). Mammals of South America, Volume 2: Rodents. University of Chicago Press. pp. 806–810. ISBN 978-0-226-16960-6. OCLC 921432000.
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^ a b Eisenberg, John F.; Redford, Kent H. (1992). Mammals of the Neotropics, Volume 2: The Southern Cone: Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay. University of Chicago Press. pp. 384–385. ISBN 978-0-226-70682-5.
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Bennett's chinchilla rat: Brief Summary
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Bennett's chinchilla rat (Abrocoma bennettii) is a species of chinchilla rat in the family Abrocomidae. It is found only in Chile where its habitat is Mediterranean-type scrub on the western side of the Andes. The IUCN has assessed its conservation status as being of "least concern".
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