Rattus exulans
(Peale, 1848). Mammalia. In Repts. U.S. Expl. Surv., 8:47.

©2002

ORDER—RODENTIA
FAMILY—Muridae

COMMON NAME—Polynesian rat, Small spiny rice-field rat.

DISTRIBUTION—Bangladesh to Easter Island and throughout the Philippines. Specimens taken from Balabac (USNM), Biliran (UMMZ), Bohol (USNM), Busuanga (USNM), Camiguin (DMNH), Catanduanes (USNM), Cebu (UPLB), Culion (USNM), Dinagat (USNM), Leyte (UPLB), Luzon (Laguna [USNM] Province), Marinduque (PNM), Mindanao (Davao del Sur [UPLB], Lanao del Norte [UPLB], Lanao del Sur [UPLB], Misamis Oriental [UPLB], South Cotabato [UPLB], Surigao del Norte [UPLB], and Surigao del Sur [UPLB] provinces), Negros (USNM), and Palawan (USNM). Also reported from Caluya Island (Alcala & Alviola, 1970).

HABITAT—Agricultural areas throughout the country at all elevations (Barbehenn et al., 1973; Rabor, 1986). Often present in disturbed forest (e.g., Danielsen et al., 1994), usually rare in primary forest, but may be common in primary forest on islands such as Negros with few native rodents (Heaney et al., 1989).

STATUS—Non-native and abundant.

NOTE ADDED IN 2005--Documented in montane forest from 925-1,050 me elevation in Balbalasang, Kalinga Province (Heaney et al. 2004)

©2002 (photo by P. Heideman)

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©2002 Heaney et al., Mammals of the Philippines
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