File:White-faced tree rat standing on log - DPLA - 505c89d177f55377fd7eaea6987a453f.jpg

35 mm slide; color. Scientific Classification: Kingdom: Animalia; Phylum: Chordata; Class: Mammalia; Order: Rodentia; Family: Echimyidae; Genus: Echimys; Genus species: Echimys chrysurus. Animal characteristics: Head-Body Length: 23-29 cm; Weight: 415-890 g; Identification: The dorsal pelage includes very broad, heavy spines interspersed with hair, where the tips tend to be brown and the shafts gray. The dorsum is dark rufous brown to gray brown, darkest at the midline. The dorsal surface of the head is usually much darker than the back. In some individuals there is a distinctive white to yellow median stripe running from the nose over the face and to the neck. Individuals with the stripe usually have a white tail tip; Habitat: Multistratal tropical evergreen forests; Diet: Herbivore: fruit and leaves; Reproduction: The female bears two young that are fully furred and have their eyes open; Social Structure: This species is usually solitary; Behavior: The white-faced tree rat is strongly arboreal and nocturnal; Status: No special status; Interesting Facts: When disturbed, the white-faced tree rat creeps quietly into thick vegetation and sits motionless for many minutes, then sneaks away silently.