Rattus tanezumi
Temminck, 1844 In Siebold, Temminck, and Schlegel, Fauna Japonica, Arnz et Socii, Lugduni Batavorum, p.51.

©2002

ORDER—RODENTIA
FAMILY—Muridae

COMMON NAME—Oriental house rat.

DISTRIBUTION— Afghanistan, Indo-malaya, New Guinea, and Micronesia (except the Samoas). Throughout the Philippines; recorded from Biliran (USNM), Bohol (USNM), Calauit (UMMZ), Camiguin (DMNH), Catanduanes (USNM), Cebu (UPLB), Dinagat (USNM), Leyte (USNM), Luzon [Cagayan (UMMZ), Camarines Sur [UPD], Laguna (USNM), Quezon (UMMZ), Sorsogon (FMNH), Tarlac (UPLB), and Zambales (USNM) provinces], Marinduque (PNM), Maripipi (USNM), Mindanao [Agusan del Norte (UPLB), Bukidnon (UPLB), Davao del Norte (UPLB), Lanao del Norte (UPLB), Lanao del Sur (UPLB), Misamis Occidental (UPLB), Misamis Oriental (UPLB), North Cotabato (USNM), South Cotabato (UPLB), Surigao del Norte (UPLB), and Zamboanga del Norte (UPLB) provinces], Mindoro (UPLB), Negros (USNM), Panay (SU), Siargao (DMNH), and Siquijor (SU). Also reported from Caluya, Sibay, Semirara, Boracay, and Carabao islands (Alcala & Alviola, 1970).

HABITAT—Abundant in urban and agricultural areas, common in disturbed lowland and montane forest up to 1800 m (Danielsen et al., 1994; Heaney et al., 1989, in press; Heaney & Tabaranza, 1995; Rabor, 1986; Sanborn, 1952).

STATUS—Non-native. Abundant.

COMMENT—Formerly included within Rattus rattus (Musser and Carleton, 1993). Includes many populations formerly recognized as distinct species (Musser, 1977a) including Rattus mindanensis.

NOTE ADDED IN 2005--Documented in montane forest at 925 m elevation in Balbalasang, Kalinga Province (Heaney et al. 2004)

©2002 (photo by E. A. Rickart)

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©2002 Heaney et al., Mammals of the Philippines
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