Photo: C & D
Frith
Australia's Wet Tropics
Rainforest Life |
Giant white-tailed Uromys (White-tailed Rat): Uromys
caudimaculatus
It is a placental mammal
Grey-brown dorsal surface, cream underside.
Paws are pale in colour
Long naked tail with a white end.
A nocturnal rodent, it is active at night.
The Giant white-tailed Uromys is a propagator for macadamia nuts and rainforest
truffles. The rainforest truffles are very important for the root growth of many species
of rainforest trees. The white-tailed Uromys arrived in Australia from Papua New Guinea
approximately three million years ago.
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Habitat:
- One of Australia’s largest rodents, it is restricted to North Queensland and
the Cape York Peninsula
- The rodent nests in trees and caves, and, being an efficient climber, is active
on the rainforest canopy as well as on the rainforest floor.
Diet:
- Feeds on fruits, seeds, fungi, insects, small reptiles, amphibians, bird eggs as
well as bark.
Social Behaviour:
- Individuals are generally solitary, territorial and reside in an area for a long
period of time.
Viewing Opportunities:
- Food is placed on the railings in front of the lodges at Chambers Wildlife
Rainforest Lodge each evening for the White-tailed Uromys to feed.
- Commonly seen on Lake Eacham roadway illuminated by the car headlights.
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