Abrocoma boliviensis

Abrocoma boliviensis, also known as the Bolivian chinchilla rat, is a species of rodent native to South America. These rodents superficially resemble chinchillas but have a more rat-like body shape with short limbs, large eyes, and large ears. They possess dense, soft fur that ranges from silvery to brownish-gray on their upperparts and white, gray, or brownish on their underparts.1

A. boliviensis inhabits rocky, shrubby areas at altitudes of approximately 2,500 meters in central Bolivia. These animals are primarily nocturnal and terrestrial, denning in rock crevices or burrows. They are agile climbers of rocks, shrubs, and small trees, feeding on leaves, buds, and stems. Several individuals are often found near each other, suggesting they may form small colonies.1