Oryzomys megacephalus
Quick Summary
Oryzomys megacephalus is a species of rice rat, a type of nocturnal rodent belonging to the genus Oryzomys. These rodents are found from the United States southward through tropical and subtropical regions of South America. Rice rats typically have soft, tawny to grayish-brown fur on their upperparts and paler underparts, with sparsely haired tails that vary in length.
O. megacephalus specifically is indigenous to the lowland tropical rainforests of the Amazon Basin. Much has been learned about its ecology due to its extensive geographic range and high population density. The genus Oryzomys itself was first described in 1858 and includes about 36 species, with body sizes varying significantly among them. Related genera are also sometimes referred to as rice rats.1
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