Echimys armatus in drier regions, the species also thrives near rivers. In areas where they are common, speckled tree rats can occur at densities of up to 1 individual per 4 hectares. (Eisenberg, 1989; Emmons, 1990; Nowak, 2004)inhabits thorn, gallery, and dry deciduous forests as well as trees in the South American llanos. The species is relatively rare in the rainforest. It occurs at up to 600 m above sea level. Though it is known to replace
The lifespan of (Mares and Ojeda, 1982)is unknown.
are an arboreal species. They create nests by lining hollow trunks or tree cavities with dry leaves. Two nests are often built vertically into one tree, one above the other. The nocturnal rats hide in the upper hole during the day, then come out to forage at night. is said to slink, rather than scamper, along branches.
The home ranges of these animals is not known.
Speckled tree rats are vocal at night. Their loud nocturnal calls sound similar to cries of "cró, cró" or "tró, tró". (Nowak, 2004)
Although information on communication inis scant, it is reasonable to assume that they are like other mammals in many regards. They likely have some forms of chemical communication, as scents are commonly used in mammals as a means of individual identification, marking of territories, and part of reproductive behavior. Tactile communication is likely to occur between mothers and their offspring as well as between mates. Visual signals, such as body posture may also be used in social communication.
are currently of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. CITES does not list the species.
Nancy Shefferly (editor), Animal Diversity Web.
Rebecca Adams (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Phil Myers (editor, instructor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor.
living in the southern part of the New World. In other words, Central and South America.
uses sound to communicate
Referring to an animal that lives in trees; tree-climbing.
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
having markings, coloration, shapes, or other features that cause an animal to be camouflaged in its natural environment; being difficult to see or otherwise detect.
animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.
union of egg and spermatozoan
forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality.
an animal that mainly eats fruit
An animal that eats mainly plants or parts of plants.
having the capacity to move from one place to another.
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
active during the night
rainforests, both temperate and tropical, are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground. Epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant. Precipitation is typically not limiting, but may be somewhat seasonal.
Referring to something living or located adjacent to a waterbody (usually, but not always, a river or stream).
scrub forests develop in areas that experience dry seasons.
reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female
uses touch to communicate
Living on the ground.
the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.
A terrestrial biome. Savannas are grasslands with scattered individual trees that do not form a closed canopy. Extensive savannas are found in parts of subtropical and tropical Africa and South America, and in Australia.
A grassland with scattered trees or scattered clumps of trees, a type of community intermediate between grassland and forest. See also Tropical savanna and grassland biome.
A terrestrial biome found in temperate latitudes (>23.5° N or S latitude). Vegetation is made up mostly of grasses, the height and species diversity of which depend largely on the amount of moisture available. Fire and grazing are important in the long-term maintenance of grasslands.
uses sight to communicate
reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female.
Nature Serve. 2004. "Echimys semivillosus - Speckled tree rat" (On-line). InfoNatura: Birds, mammals, and amphibians of Latin America. Accessed March 24, 2004 at http://www.natureserve.org/infonatura.
Eisenberg, J. 1989. Mammals of the Neotropics: The Northern Neotropics. Chicago & London: The University of Chicago Press.
Emmons, L. 1990. Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: A Field Guide. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.
Mares, M., R. Ojeda. 1982. Patterns of Diversity and Adaptations in South American Hystricognath Rodents. Mammalian Biology in South America, 6: 393-394.
Nowak, R. 2004. "Arboreal Spiny Rats" (On-line). Walker's Mammals of the World. Accessed March 24, 2004 at http://www.press.jhu.edu/books/walkers_mammals_of_the_world/rodentia/rodentia.echimyidae.echimys.html.
Nowak, R. 1983. Rodentia; Family Echimyidae - Spiny Rats. Pp. 837 in Walker's Mammals of the World, Vol. 2, 4th Edition. Baltimore & London: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Woods, C. 1982. The History and Classification of South American Hystricognath Rodents: Reflections on the Far Away and Long Ago. Mammalian Biology in South America, 6: 377-392.