This species is recorded widely throughout Indochina, in Thailand and Koh Samui off the east coast of peninsular Thailand, Cambodia, central Lao PDR, and Viet Nam (including islands of Cham and Thô Chu off the coast of southern Viet Nam). Then in the Sunda Shelf from the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, Java, Borneo, Kangean island, and Bali. It has been introduced in the Lesser Sunda Islands (on the islands of Lombok, Sumbawa, Sangeang, Komodo, Rintja, Flores, Adonara, Lembata, Alor, Sumba, Timor, and Tanimbar), and in the Philippines (Cebu, Luzon, Mindoro, Mindoro, Negros), Sulawesi and New Guinea (Musser and Carleton 2005). Corbet and Hill (1992), followed by Helgen (2003), recorded the species from Seram in the Moluccas, but Musser and Carleton (2005) could not substantiate its occurrence there.

Rattus argentiventer is found throughout Southeast Asia.

Biogeographic Regions: oriental (Native ); australian (Introduced )

Rattus argentiventer is a medium-sized rat with grizzed yellow-brown and black pelage that is not spiny when stroked. Its belly is grayish in the midline with whiter flanks. The dorsal sufaces of its hind feet are about the same color as its back and often have a dark spot or line. The tail is uniformly medium brown. Rattus argentiventer is 304-400mm long with a tail length of 140-200mm and a skull length of 37-41mm. (Van Peenen 1969)

Type for Rattus argentiventer
Collection: Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Division of Mammals
Sex/Stage: Male;
Preparation: Skin; Skull
Collector(s): A. Gordon
Year Collected: 1945
Locality: Progresso, 1 Mi SW, Mindoro, Philippines, Asia
Microhabitat: Coastal plain grassland
Elevation (m): 6

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

Rice field rats primarily reside in cultivated areas such as rice paddies and grasslands. It is largely dependent on human rice fields and plantations. Rice field rats shelter in burrows in soil, under rocks, and in logs. They make nests from hollowed-out heaps of material, often in a burrow. (Nowak 1991, Barnett 1975)

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland

Rattus argentiventer is omnivorous, with a diet that includes termites, grasshoppers, snails, insects, rice, seeds, nuts, vegetables, and fruit. (Nowak 1991, Grzmick 1990)

Rattus argentiventer is polyestrous with a 4 to 5 day estrus and a continuous breeding season. Gestation lasts 3 weeks, with 3 to 8 young per litter and 1 to 12 litters a year. Rice field rats have 12 mammae. Female rats build a nest 3 to 5 days before parturition in which the young are born. They are born naked and blind but fully furred. After 15 days, their eyes open. Weaning occurs and the young leave the nest after 3 weeks. Young Rattus argentiventer reach sexual maturity at 3 months. All young experience maternal care and are reared with their litter mates. The male rat plays little part in the care of the young. (Ansell 1960, Nowak 1991, Hamilton 1939)

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Species: 2
Species With Barcodes: 1

Rattus argentiventer has no special conservation status.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Conservation Actions

Rattus argentiventer is often responsible for depredations on rice fields and gardens. It is the fourth most damaging rodent to rice crops. (Grzmick 1990, Nowak 1991)