Malayan field rat

The Malayan field rat (Rattus tiomanicus), also known as the Malaysian field rat or Malaysian wood rat, is a rodent of the family Muridae found in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, including Sumatra, Borneo and many smaller islands. It is nocturnal and mainly arboreal, climbing well and hiding in log piles, heaps of palm fronds, under fallen logs and in the crowns of palm trees, while also foraging on the ground. The head and body measure 140 to 190 millimetres and the tail, a similar length and uniformly dark brown, adds 150 to 200 millimetres; adults weigh between 55 and 150 grams. The fur is smooth and flattened with short spines, grizzled olive brown above with scattered black guard hairs and whitish below, and the broad feet have finely ridged soles for climbing. It is told from Annandale rat by its sleek spiny fur and fewer mammae, and from the ricefield rat by its plain white underparts and the lack of an orange spot before the ear. It lives in primary and secondary forest, plantations, scrub, grassland and gardens but seldom enters buildings, and it eats both plant and animal matter, including oil palm fruit. It is abundant and adaptable, has no identified threats, is regarded as a pest in some areas, and is assessed as Least Concern by the IUCN.