The Ohiya rat (''Srilankamys ohiensis''), or Sri Lanka bi-colored rat, is a species of
rodent
Rodents (from Latin , 'to gnaw') are mammals of the order Rodentia (), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal species are rodents. They are n ...
in the family
Muridae.
It is the only species in the genus ''Srilankamys''. It is found only in
Sri Lanka where it is known locally as ශ්රී ලංකා දෙපැහැ මීයා in Sinhala.
Description
Head and body length is 15–18 cm. Tail is 19–21 cm. Steel gray above grading to pale yellowish gray on the sides. Underparts pure white. Tail distinctive. Dusky purple above, white below, the tip white all round. Head relatively large. Large ears pink inside. Eyes small, almond-shaped. Pinkish muzzle. Light-colored feet.
References
* de A. Goonatilake, W.I.L.D.P.T.S., Nameer, P.O. & Molur, S. 2008. .
2009 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 6 October 2009.
*
Old World rats and mice
Endemic fauna of Sri Lanka
Rodents of Sri Lanka
Mammals described in 1929
Taxonomy articles created by Polbot
{{Murinae-stub