The golden-backed tree rat (''Mesembriomys macrurus'') 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 na ...

in the family

Muridae The Muridae, or murids, are the largest family of rodents and of mammals, containing approximately 1,383 species, including many species of mice, rats, and gerbils found naturally throughout Eurasia, Africa, and Australia. The name Muridae come ...

, found only in Australia. It is present in the

Charnley River–Artesian Range Wildlife Sanctuary Charnley River–Artesian Range Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area covering about in the Kimberley (Western Australia), Kimberley region of Western Australia. It is situated about east of Derby, Western Australia, Derby and north west of ...

in the

Kimberley Kimberly or Kimberley may refer to: Places and historical events Australia * Kimberley (Western Australia) ** Roman Catholic Diocese of Kimberley * Kimberley Warm Springs, Tasmania * Kimberley, Tasmania a small town * County of Kimberley, a ...

region of Western Australia. They range in size from 18 to 34 cm, weighing 200-330 grams.

References

* Mesembriomys Mammals of Western Australia Mammals of the Northern Territory Rodents of Australia Vulnerable fauna of Australia Mammals described in 1876 Taxonomy articles created by Polbot Taxa named by Wilhelm Peters {{WesternAustralia-stub