Ashy chinchilla rat
{{Short description|Species of rodent}}
{{Speciesbox
| name = Ashy chinchilla rat
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Abrocoma
| species = cinerea
| authority = Thomas, 1919
| synonyms =
}}
The ashy chinchilla rat (Abrocoma cinerea) is a species of chinchilla rats in the family Abrocomidae found in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru.
Description
Their total length is {{convert|21|–|43|cm}}, with the body being {{convert|15|–|25|cm}} and the tail being {{convert|6|–|8|cm}}. They have soft, thick, silver fur on the top of their bodies, and white or yellow fur on their abdomens. They have four toes on their front feet, and five toes on their back feet.{{cn|date=August 2022}}
Distribution and habitat
The ashy chinchilla rat is endemic to land at high elevations in southeastern Peru, southwestern Bolivia, northern Chile and northwestern Argentina. Its altitudinal range is from about {{convert|3850|to|5000|m|ft|-2}} above sea level. It lives in rocky areas, digging its burrows at the base of bushes, under rocks, among shale or at the base of stone walls.
Behavior and diet
Ashy chinchilla rats live underground, with a group of up to six individuals occupying one burrow. Several colonial burrows may be grouped close together. Little is known of their breeding habits but the gestation period is about 118 days and one or two young are born at a time.{{cn|date=August 2022}}
They are herbivores, so they eat seeds, fruit, and nuts, especially Thola spp. and Yareta. They are sociable animals and make squeaking and grunting noises when they are scared or fighting, and gurgling sounds when grooming each other.{{cn|date=August 2022}}
Status
Ashy chinchilla rats are sometimes hunted for their pelts, which are sold in local markets, sometimes to tourists.{{cn|date=August 2022}} They have a large range and are plentiful within that area. The population is presumed to be large and the population trend is steady. The animals are able to adapt to some degree of habitat modification and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated their conservation status as being of "least concern".
References
{{Portal|Andes}}
{{Reflist}}
- Woods, C. A. and C. W. Kilpatrick. 2005. Hystricognathi. pp 1538–1600 in Mammal Species of the World: a Taxonomic and Geographic Reference 3rd ed. D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder eds. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington D.C.
{{Abrocomidae nav}}
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Category:Mammals described in 1919