Wildlifeof Malaysia
Moonrat
Pangolins, Treeshrews, Shrews & Gymnures
Photo: Dario Nessi
Echinosorex gymnura
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly carnivorous: small animals
Habitat
Moist forest, including mangrove and swamp forest; often enters water
Range
Sumatra, the Thai-Malay Peninsula and Borneo
Size
Head and body 32–40cm; tail 20–29cm
Weight
870–1,100g
The moonrat is a fairly small, primarily carnivorous mammal, the only member of its genus within the hedgehog and gymnure family (Erinaceidae). Despite the name it is not closely related to rats. It has a strong, pungent ammonia smell. The head and body are 32–40 cm, the tail 20–29 cm and the weight 870–1,100 g. The Sumatran and Thai-Malay subspecies has a white or grey-white head and front half with the rest mostly black, while the Bornean subspecies is generally white with a sparse scattering of black hairs (Wikipedia, general species account).
Moonrats are nocturnal and terrestrial, lying up under logs, roots or in abandoned burrows during the day. They inhabit moist forests including mangrove and swamp forests and often enter water (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Moonrat eat?
- Mainly carnivorous: small animals
- What habitat does the Moonrat live in?
- Moist forest, including mangrove and swamp forest; often enters water
- Where is the Moonrat found?
- Sumatra, the Thai-Malay Peninsula and Borneo
- How big is the Moonrat?
- Head and body 32–40cm; tail 20–29cm
- How much does the Moonrat weigh?
- 870–1,100g