Wildlifeof Vietnam
White-footed Indochinese Rat
Rats, Mice, Voles & Porcupines
Photo: Naturalis Biodiversity Center · CC0
Rattus nitidus
Rare visitor: recorded only occasionally in this country
Basic stats
Habitat
Primary and secondary forest up to about 2,750m; plantations, farmland and around houses
Range
Northern India, Bhutan, Nepal, China and Southeast Asia
Size
Head and body 16–18cm
The Himalayan field rat, sometimes called the white-footed Indo-Chinese rat, has soft brown fur above and whitish underparts, each hair having a grey base. The feet are white, the hind feet are narrower than those of the brown rat, and ridged soles give extra grip when climbing. Head and body length is 16–18 cm (Wikipedia, general species account).
It has a wide range from northern India, Bhutan and Nepal through central, southern and eastern China to Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, and has been introduced to Indonesia, Palau and the Philippines. It generally lives in primary and secondary forest up to about 2,750 m but is adaptable and is also found in plantations, on farmland and around houses.
Quick answers
- What habitat does the White-footed Indochinese Rat live in?
- Primary and secondary forest up to about 2,750m; plantations, farmland and around houses
- Where is the White-footed Indochinese Rat found?
- Northern India, Bhutan, Nepal, China and Southeast Asia
- How big is the White-footed Indochinese Rat?
- Head and body 16–18cm