Indian bush rat

The Indian bush rat, Golunda ellioti, is a rodent in the family Muridae and the only living member of its genus, Golunda. It is also the only living member of the tribe Arvicanthini found outside Africa. It is widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent, from Kohat in the west to Guwahati in the east, and also occurs in Sri Lanka, with an isolated population in southeastern Iran. As many as 11 subspecies are recognised. The genus name comes from the Kannada name Gulandi and the species name honours Sir Walter Elliot. An adult measures about 12 to 14 centimetres in head and body length with a tail of 9 to 11 centimetres, has yellowish brown upperparts speckled with black and reddish yellow, a grayish underside, orange-yellow incisors and spiny body fur.