451.

Angolan Shaggy Rat

Dasymys nudipes

French: Dasymys d’Angola / German: Angola-\ Wollhaarratte / Spanish: Rata peluda de Angola

Other common names: Angolan Dasymys, Angolan Marsh Rat, Angolan Water Rat

Taxonomy. Mus (Isomys) nudipes Peters, 1870,

“Huilla [= Huila],” Angola.

Dasymys nudipes is distinguished from D. incomtus, with which it co-occurs in Angola, by its large size (largest species of genus), relatively long tail, and possession of five (as opposed to six) plantar pads. Monotypic.

Distribution. Central Highlands of Angola.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 152-205 mm, tail 140-186 mm, ear 21-24 mm, hindfoot 39-45 mm; weight 102-164 g. Like all Dasymys, the Angolan Shaggy Rat has soft, shaggy, long-haired fur that is reddishbrown dorsally and dull gray ventrally. Head is broad, with short muzzle, vibrissae long, and ears rounded and well furred on inside. Tail is about equal to or slightly longer than head-body length, heavily scaled, sparsely haired, and darker above than below.

Habitat. Swampy areas in wetlands.

Food and Feeding. The Angolan Shaggy Rat is presumably herbivorous.

Breeding. Males and females in reproductive condition have been recorded in August and November.

Activity patterns. Angolan Shaggy Rats are presumably crepuscular and diurnal.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. No information.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Data Deficient on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Crawford-Cabral (1983), Crawford-Cabral & Pacheco (1989), Hill & Carter (1941), Monadjem et al. (2015), Mullin, Taylor & Pillay (2004).