The Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans), also called the Pacific rat, little rat or kiore, is the third most widespread rat in the world, after the brown rat and the black rat. Despite its name it originated in Southeast Asia, and mitochondrial DNA analysis suggests the island of Flores as its origin. People carried it across most of Polynesia, including New Zealand, Easter Island and Hawaii, and because it cannot swim long distances it is treated as a marker of Pacific migrations. It is a slender rat, up to about 15 centimetres from nose to tail base, with large round ears, a pointed snout, dark brown fur with a paler belly and small feet. It is nocturnal, a skilled climber that often nests in trees, and omnivorous, eating seeds, fruit, bark, insects and the eggs and chicks of birds. Introduced populations have contributed to the extinction of island birds and insects, and conservation programmes in New Zealand and elsewhere in the Pacific work to remove it from islands.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleAgricultural or Structural Pest 1 Relationship to PeopleInvasive or Introduced Species 1 Living or Extinct Conservation Status Activity Pattern Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Rattus, Taxa Source Polynesian rat (Wikipedia)
In Biome
Source Polynesian rat (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Polynesian rat (Wikipedia)Lead, spread to HawaiiQuote, Lead, spread to Hawaii
migrating to most of Polynesia, including New Zealand, Easter Island, and Hawaii
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Polynesian rat (Wikipedia)Lead, spread to New ZealandQuote, Lead, spread to New Zealand
migrating to most of Polynesia, including New Zealand, Easter Island, and Hawaii
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Polynesian rat (Wikipedia)Lead, spreadQuote, Lead, spread
migrating to most of Polynesia, including New Zealand, Easter Island, and Hawaii
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Polynesian rat (Wikipedia)Distribution and habitatQuote, Distribution and habitat
The Polynesian rat is widespread throughout the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
Sources
1. Animal Diversity Web: Rattus exulans (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity WebConservation Status, IUCN Red List
Least Concern
Conservation Status, CITES
No special status
Food Habits, Primary Diet
Polynesian rats eat a variety of foods, including broad leaf plants, grasses, seeds,
Behavior, Home Range
Polynesian rats are relitively sedentary and nocturnal.
Habitat, Habitat Regions
terrestrial
Economic Importance for Humans: Negative
Polynesian rats are a major agricultural pest throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific
Conservation Status
Rats are an exotic species in Hawaii and are not protected by law.
Reproduction, living population
Polynesian rats breed throughout the year with peak breeding occuring in summer and
Lifespan/Longevity
The lifespan of Polynesian rats is up to one year in the wild.
View the Source Polynesian rat (Wikipedia)
Distribution and habitat
The Polynesian rat is widespread throughout the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
Lead, spread to New Zealand
migrating to most of Polynesia, including New Zealand, Easter Island, and Hawaii
Lead, spread to Hawaii
migrating to most of Polynesia, including New Zealand, Easter Island, and Hawaii
In Group: Rodents And Lagomorphs, Lead
is the third most widespread species of rat in the world behind the brown rat and black rat
Child Taxon Of: Rattus, Lead
The Polynesian rat, Pacific rat or little rat (Rattus exulans), or kiore
In Biome: Grassland, Lead, habitats
It shares high adaptability with other rat species extending to many environments, from grasslands to forests.
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