Wildlifeof Vietnam
Lesser Bamboo Rat
Rats, Mice, Voles & Porcupines
Photo: Roadnottaken · CC BY-SA 3.0
Cannomys badius
Rare visitor: recorded only occasionally in this country
Basic stats
Diet
Shoots, especially of bamboo, and roots
Habitat
Bamboo groves in mountainous areas; also woodland, plantations and disturbed ground
Range
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Cambodia
Litter size
2–5 young
Gestation period
About six weeks
Size
Length about 200mm; tail about 60mm
Weight
210–340g
The lesser bamboo rat is a robust, cylindrical rodent, about 20 cm long with a tail of about 6 cm, weighing 210–340 g. The ears are small and hidden in the coat, and the fur is soft and dense, reddish brown to greyish brown above and paler and thinner below, sometimes with white stripes on the crown or white on the throat. It has small eyes and short, stout legs (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is a burrowing animal, usually found in bamboo groves in mountainous areas but also in woodland, plantations and disturbed ground. The main tunnel runs horizontally near the surface and can be up to 58 m long, ending in a roomy nesting chamber, and earth is thrown into a mound at the entrance. It comes out at dusk to forage for plant material, especially bamboo shoots and roots. Females bear two to five young after about six weeks.
Quick answers
- What does the Lesser Bamboo Rat eat?
- Shoots, especially of bamboo, and roots
- What habitat does the Lesser Bamboo Rat live in?
- Bamboo groves in mountainous areas; also woodland, plantations and disturbed ground
- Where is the Lesser Bamboo Rat found?
- Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Cambodia
- What is the litter size of the Lesser Bamboo Rat?
- 2–5 young
- How long is the gestation period of the Lesser Bamboo Rat?
- About six weeks
- How big is the Lesser Bamboo Rat?
- Length about 200mm; tail about 60mm
- How much does the Lesser Bamboo Rat weigh?
- 210–340g