| Nillu rat | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Muridae |
| Genus: | Rattus |
| Species: | R. montanus |
| Binomial name | |
| Rattus montanus Phillips, 1932 | |
TheNillu rat orSri Lankan mountain rat (Rattus montanus) is a species ofrodent in the familyMuridae.It is found only inSri Lanka where it is known as நில்ளு எலி (Nillu Eli) in Tamil and නෙලූ මීයා(Nelu Meeya) in Sinhalese.[1][2][3]
The Nillu rat is only found inKnuckles,Horton Plains,Nuwara Eliya, andOhiya in the central highlands of Central and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka.
Head and body length is 16–17 cm. Tail is 20–22 cm. Grayish brown with a reddish tinge dorsally, darkest along back. Underparts gray grading into whitish. Chin and upper throat white. Tail blackish brown with fine dark hairs. Long, shiny black whiskers. Fur soft and long, up to 45mm in length in back. Feet covered with short hairs.
