Stein's rat

Stein's rat (Rattus steini), also known as the small spiny rat and as Stein's New Guinea rat, is a medium-sized rodent of the family Muridae found in West Papua, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea. It lives mostly at mid-montane elevations along the Central Cordillera and in highlands near the northern coast, from about 20 up to 2,800 metres, in primary moist forest, at forest edges, in village gardens and in open grassy areas. The head and body measure about 140 to 193 millimetres and the weight is 110 to 220 grams. The coat is soft and grizzled dark brown, and larger animals carry a few thin spines. It shelters in burrows and tree hollows, breeds all year with litters of about three or four young, and eats root crops such as sweet potatoes and various vegetables, so it is regarded as a pest by subsistence farmers. Four subspecies are listed, and the species is classed as Least Concern.