Talk:White-tailed rat

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I am dubious about the statement suggesting that "The white-tailed rat is restricted to savannahs and grasslands of South Africa and Swaziland."

Are they not also found in the tropics of Queensland, Australia ?

..or is this merely an excellent imitation of a White-tailed Rat that I currently have galloping around (along with several offspring) in the roof of my house in Cairns..?

Appreciate any elaboration anyone might be able to provide.

Regards,

Rick Brittain Cairns, Qld. OZ. 203.38.96.82 (talk) 23:42, 2 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Mystromys albicaudatus is definitely restricted to Africa. Check List of Australian rodents. --Aranae (talk) 00:09, 3 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

It is likely Uromys caudimaculatus, the Giant White-tailed Rat, or else it might be Rattus leucopus, which has a partly white tail, or Mesembriomys gouldi, which has a white tail-tip and is recognizable by its black ears, eyes, feet and tail. There is definitely no Mystromys albicaudatus in Australia; there is a difference between the White-tailed Rat, which is a unique South African species, and a white-tailed rat, which might be any rodent which happens to have a white tail. Ucucha 15:10, 3 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

Thank you very much for the clarification. I never even thought to pursue the "Giant" aspect, as the local variety indeed is.

I actually have Uromys caudimacaculatus running around in my roof cavity, but not for much longer methinks...my darling wife (a.k.a. The Leader of the Opposition) has instigated removal of same via humane methods using local registered pest control facillitators.

Many thanks once again for the assistance with this.

Rick Brittain Cairns, Qld. 203.38.96.82 (talk) 22:55, 5 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]