What is Lesser bandicoot rat?
{{Taxobox | name = Lesser bandicoot rat | image = Bandicota bengalensis Hardwicke.jpg | status = LC | trend = unknown | status_system = iucn3.1 | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | ordo = [[Rodent]]ia | familia = [[Muridae]] | subfamilia = [[Murinae]] | genus = ''[[Bandicota]]'' | binomial = ''Bandicota bengalensis'' | binomial_authority = [[John Edward Gray|Gray]], 1835}} The '''lesser bandicoot rat''' (''Bandicota bengalensis'') is a [[rodent]]. It lives in south [[Asia]]. It can grow up to 40cm long. It is a [[rat]], but is not in the genus ''Rattus''. They may be a [[pest]] to [[cereal]] crops, and gardens in [[India]] and [[Sri Lanka]]. When attacking the rat grunts like a [[pig]]. Their [[fur]] is dark brown on the back and usually lighter or darker grey on the belly-side ([[ventral]]ly). The length of their body is about 25cm, and the tail is shorter than the body. == Location == Sometimes, the rats live in empty houses in [[village]]s. When they feel threatened, they are very aggressive. Many see them as a threat to infants (babies). Packs of lesser bandicoot rats have been known to attack and devour infants left alone. == Misunderstandings == Despite its name, the rat is not related to the [[bandicoot]], which is a [[marsupial]]. The [[International Union for the Conservation of Nature]] says there are large numbers of lesser bandicoot rats found over a wide area. They have listed them as being of [[Least Concern]] for survival.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/2540/0 |title=Lesser Bandicoot rat |accessdate=2009-08-07|format= |work=IUCN Red List 2008 }}</ref> ==References== {{reflist}} [[Category:Old World rats and mice]] [[Category:Mammals of Asia]]