Mammals of the WorldPacific Rat
Rattus exulans
- Order
- Rodentia
- Family
- Muridae
- Genus
- Rattus
- IUCN status
- LC
- Distribution
- Bangladesh|Myanmar|Laos|Vietnam|Taiwan|Thailand|Cambodia|Malaysia|Indonesia|Brunei|Singapore
- Realm
- Australasia|Indomalaya
Other names: Polynesian Rat
About this species
The Polynesian rat, also called the Pacific rat, little rat or kiore, is the third most widespread rat in the world, behind the brown rat and black rat. Notable features include become a major pest in many areas (Wikipedia, general species account). The Polynesian rat, Pacific rat or little rat (Rattus exulans), or kiore, is the third most widespread species of rat in the world behind the brown rat and black rat. (Wikipedia, general species account).
Despite its name it originated in Southeast Asia, and it travelled with people to most of Polynesia, including New Zealand, Easter Island and Hawaii (Wikipedia, general species account). It is highly adaptable, living in environments from grassland to forest, and is closely associated with humans, who provide easy access to food. Contrary to its vernacular name, the Polynesian rat originated in Southeast Asia, and like its relatives has become widespread, migrating to most of Polynesia, including New Zealand, Easter Island, and Hawaii. (Wikipedia, general species account).
Description: Wildlife of sulawesi guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)