Watson’s Climbing Rat
Panama and Costa Rica. Range limits have not yet been determined. Dense forest, mainly broadleaf rainforests, at low elevations and near bodies of water or rocky ledges. This species is arboreal.
Watson’s climbing rat
Head and Body length= 184-260mm Tail length= 223-290mm. As with other members of this genus, T. watsoni is large and has a long, thick, hairless tail with a white tip. They look like large species of the genus Rattus. The braincase is flattened and long. They have large, naked ears, a pointed snout, and long, black whiskers. The feet are broad and short with white toes and dark brown fur on top. Their body fur is long, soft, dense, and usually grayish brown above and pure white below. There is a great deal of color variation within populations. Older adults are usually paler in color.
Reproduction
Nothing is known about the reproduction of this species. Other species in this genus have a gestation period of 40 days and an average litter size of 2.3 young.
Behavior
This species is nocturnal and solitary. They have been recorded to inhabit trees at heights of 10 meters. Despite their common name, they are often sighted in rock piles, logs, and other ground habitats.
Food Habits
Plant material including fruits, leaves, seeds, lichens, and bark. In captivity they should be offered a complete diet of rodent lab blocks, mushrooms, grains and seeds (a good rat or mouse mix), with plenty of green vegetables and occasional bits of fruit. Cheerios or wheat bread are great treats, in small quantities. Do NOT feed chocolate, fried foods, salted foods, candy or junk food! They may enjoy crickets and mealworms if they are captive bred, never feed wild insects as they may carry parasites.
Vitamins, like Nutri-Cal are a good addition to their diet, and added calcium during nursing and growth due to demands on their systems at those times, but take care not to overdo it. Water bottles should be used to proved constant, clean water. Ceramic or stoneware food dishes work well for keeping seeds or fresh foods off the floor, and a wire mesh hopper that allows them to eat the lab blocks through without extra waste.
