Andean rat
Species of rodent
title: "Andean rat" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["akodontini", "rodents-of-south-america", "mammals-of-bolivia", "mammals-of-peru", "mammals-described-in-1909", "taxa-named-by-joel-asaph-allen"] description: "Species of rodent" topic_path: "general/akodontini" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andean_rat" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0
::summary Species of rodent ::
| image = | status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1 | status_ref = | genus = Lenoxus | parent_authority = Thomas, 1909 | species = apicalis | authority = (J.A. Allen, 1900) | synonyms =
- Oxymycterus apicalis J.A. Allen, 1900
The Andean rat (Lenoxus apicalis), or white-tailed akodont,
Description
The Andean rat is a medium-sized species, with a tail as long as or rather longer than its head-and-body length. The head has a rather long but broadly based snout and exposed, small, sparsely haired ears. The dorsal surface of the body is blackish suffused with grey, and the flanks are paler grey. The underparts are greyish-brown, tinged with buff. The tail is greyish-brown both above and underneath, and is sparsely haired, with numerous small scales. The terminal quarter of the tail is white and is very distinctive. The upper surfaces of the feet are grey, which contrasts with the white toes.
Distribution and habitat
The Andean rat is endemic to the eastern slopes of the Andes, its range including southern Peru and northern Bolivia. It occurs in montane and cloud forest at altitudes between 1500 and.
Ecology
The natural history of this species is poorly known. Specimens in Peru were trapped in runways among thick ferns and moss-covered tree roots, while in Bolivia they were trapped in somewhat drier, less dense forest.
References
References
- Dunnum, J.. (2016). "''Lenoxus apicalis''".
- Patton, J.L.. (1989). "Electromorphic variation in selected South American akodontine rodents (Muridae: Sigmodontinae), with comments on systematic implications". Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde.
- Alfred L.. (2015). "Mammals of South America". University of Chicago Press.
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