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 (biology), order Rodentia ( ), which are characterized by a single pair of continuously growing incisors in each of the upper and Mandible, lower jaws. About 40% of all mammal specie ...
in the family
Muridae
The Muridae, or murids, are either the largest or second-largest family of rodents and of mammals, containing approximately 870 species, including many species of mice, rats, and gerbils found naturally throughout Eurasia, Africa, and Australia.
...
.
It is the only species in the genus ''Srilankamys''. It is found only in
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...
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
(Murivnae-stub)