Echinosorex gymnura
moonrat

Echinosorex gymnurus is found on the Malay Peninsula south of about 12 N and also on Borneo and Sumatra.

The habitat of moon rats is primary and secondary lowland forest, mangrove swamps, rubber plantations and other cultivated areas. They seem to prefer moist areas, often near streams, with thick ground vegetation.

The coarse hair of moon rats is white on the head and distal part of the tail and is black elsewhere. The hair on the scaly tail is sparse. The face has black spots near the eyes. White forms are known. The long, mobile nose has a groove on its underside from the tip to a point between the upper incisors. The body is long and narrow. The canines are larger than the adjacent teeth. Head and body length ranges from 260 to 460 mm and females tend to be larger than males.

Breeding occurs throughout the year. Two litters per year, each averaging two young, is typical. Gestation is usually betwen 35 and 40 days.

Moon rats are solitary and do not seem to be tolerant of conspecifics. Captive animals emit "hiss-puffs" and low roars during encounters with each other and mark the entrances of their nest boxes with secretions from small, paired anal glands. The secretions are said to have the smell of rotten onions or ammonia.

The diet if the gymnure is varied, though there is some debate about what food items are most important. It seems that the main component of the diet is terrestrial and aquatic invertebrates such as earthworms, insects, spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, crabs and molluscs. Some aquatic vertebrates like frogs and fish are also eaten, as well as fruit.

Echinosorex gymnurus does not appear to be threatened currently.