Phloeomys cumingi
southern Luzon giant cloud rat

Phloeomys cumingi is endemic to the Philippine islands of the Palearctic Region. The type specimen was collected in Southwestern Luzon by Cuming. Since the discovery and naming of slender-tailed cloud rats in 1839, the species has been found on the nearby small islands of Marinduque, Mindoro, and Catanduanes. Specific capture locations include Cape Engano, Mont Data, Mont Tirac, Mont Lalaya, Lepanto, Trinidad, Irisan, Haights-in-the Oaks, Benguet, Nueva Ecija, and Baay, Abra. (Heaney et al., 1991; Hollister, 1912; Sanborn, 1952; Taylor, 1934; Thomas, 1898)

Slender-tailed cloud rats have been found from sea level to 900 m (2,952 ft). P. cumingi is found in forested areas and is semi-fossorial, living in burrows underground. It has been suggested that the inhabited burrows were not dug by P. cumingi, but were abandoned by other animals. Specimens are often captured in hollow logs. Slender-tailed cloud rats have been found in degraded lowland forest and have spread to pasture and farmland. (Oliver et al., 1993; Schauenberg, 1978; Thomas, 1898)

The subfamily Phloeomyinae is distinguished by molars divided by transverse, plate-like cusps, a thickly furred tail, and a larger body size than other members of the family Muridae. The molars are generally worn down in adults, but are still noticeably hypsodont. The type specimen described by Cuming is distinguished from the similar genus Capromys by unique skull morphology in which the interparietal bone is rounded, the auditory bullae are reduced, and the upper tooth rows show an anterior convergence. (Ellerman, 1941; Taylor, 1934)

Several body characters distinguish P. cumingi from other murid rodents, including the presence of only one set of mammae. The muzzle is short, and long hair covers the outside of the ears. The pelage color patterns vary greatly, but are often described as dark brown or black and white. The coat texture is rough, with longer, lighter colored hairs interspersed in the dorsal portion of the coat, and longer hairs on the head and back. The ventral portion is paler than the rest of the coat. The long, thick hair of the tail is blacker than the coat. The other recognized species of slender-tailed cloud rat, P. pallidus, is larger than P. cumingi and is differentiated by its longer, softer, and paler fur. Some controversy remains, however, as to whether this species is just a seasonal or latitudinal variation of P. cumingi. (Crandall, 1964; Ellerman, 1941; Schauenberg, 1978; Taylor, 1934; Thomas, 1898)

The tail of P. cumingi is generally shorter than the head and body length. The feet are wide and large, and are bare on the walking surface. There are long claws on the forefeet. The length of the head and body ranges from 440 to 482.6 mm. Tail lengths have been reported from 320 to 350 mm. The forefoot, not including the claws, measures 43.4 mm, and the hind foot measures 70 mm. Ears measure 25.4 mm. The skull, described as ovate, measures a 59.2 mm in length, and has a width of 43.3 mm. (Hollister, 1912; Taylor, 1934)

Dissection of the digestive tract has revealed that the caecum, which aids in the digestion of tough plant material, is unusually long and is larger (in width and length) than the stomach. Additionally, a unique parasitic nematode, Neoheligmonella schaenbergi, has been discovered in the digestive tract of P. cumingi. (Schauenberg, 1978; Vaucher and Durette-Desset, 1983)

Slender-tailed cloud rats are known to live and reproduce successfully in captivity. One animal born in the Washington Zoo reached an age of thirteen years, seven months, and six days. Longevity in the wild has not been reported. (Crandall, 1964; Schauenberg, 1978)

Slender-tailed cloud rats are reported by locals of Luzon and the surrounding islands to be nocturnal and arboreal. The species has also been reported as active on overcast days when in captivity in Dresden, London, Holland, New York, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia. The animals on display were kept together in a group of eight, consisting of five adults (sexes not identified) and three mature offspring. Additionally, these animals are reported to be indifferent, placid, and quiet while in captivity, spending the majority of their time in the branches within their enclosure. (Crandall, 1964; Ellerman, 1941; Heaney et al., 1991; Schauenberg, 1978)

The long claws on the forefeet are modified for climbing. Cloud rats observed in captivity have shown a preference for a certain hand. Farmers and hunters in Luzon report that the animal is solitary or found in pairs of a mother with her young, or a male and female, but occasionally they are seen in groups. Farmers also warn that cloud-rats are strong and aggressive, requiring special care during capture. One researcher did, however, keep a Cuming’s rat in his room as a rather agreeable pet. (Crandall, 1964; Ellerman, 1941; Heaney et al., 1991; Schauenberg, 1978)

Home Range

No information has been reported about the home range of these animals.

Several researchers who kept the animals in captivity for study report that cloud rats makes short growls when irritated, similar to the growl of a marmot. As mammals, we can infer that they probably have other means of communication as well, including physical posturing, tactile communication, and scents, although the literature does not contain specific mention of these. (Schauenberg, 1978)

Waterhouse first named this animal “Phloeomys” or bark-eating mouse, from reports by Cuming on the lignivorous diet of the species. In its natural habitat, little is known about diet, although it has been reported to eat young vegetation (particularly favoring red leaves) and roots. Captive specimens around the world have been offered an omnivorous diet, including a wide range of plants, grains, and proteins. Plants and grains fed include rolled oats, apples, carrots, celery, lettuce, cabbage, endive, sunflower seeds, cooked reufs, primate supplement NAFAG, biscuits, bread, and Gist-o-cal supplement. The animals have been fed such diverse proteins as fortified dog food, rodent food, ground nuts, fish, bird carcasses, beef, mice, and goats. The animals in captivity also consume large amounts of wood, although the type was not reported. (Crandall, 1964; Heaney et al., 1991; Nagtegaal, 1976; Schauenberg, 1978)

The only reported predators of P. cumingi are humans. The animal is a food source, with some local hunters reporting that they killed up to 50 P. cumingi in a year. This animal is also known to be used in at least one medicinal treatment. No information is currently available on anti-predation behavior, although many specimens captured were burnt out of hollow trees, where it is possible they sought refuge. (Heaney et al., 1991; Oliver et al., 1993; Schauenberg, 1978)

Slender-tailed cloud rats have incredible adaptability to an environment that is becoming converted from forest land to agricultural areas, as it is still found in these areas. Local farmers report that it is not a pest to humans, despite the omnivore's potential for crop destruction. Additionally, continued hunting of the animal has not significantly decreased its numbers. The only other reported interaction of P. cumingi with another species concerns the parasitic nematode N. schauenbergi, which was first dicovered in the alcohol-preserved digestive tract of an animal prepared five years earlier. (Heaney et al., 1991; Oliver et al., 1993; Schauenberg, 1978; Vaucher and Durette-Desset, 1983)

No adverse effects of the species on humans are reported. (Heaney et al., 1991)

The primary benefit of slender-tailed cloud rats to humans is as a source of food. Their large body size and adaptability to deforestation, ensure that it is a stable meat source for local people. P. cumingi has also been considered for use as a form of "microlivestock" in forested areas, as an alternative to raising large-scale, unsustainable, traditional domesticated animals for meat sources. (Heaney et al., 1991; National Research Council, 1991)

A single medicinal use is known, in which locals drink water with the hair of P. cumingi in it to relieve stomach cramps. (Wharton, 1948)

IUCN lists this species as vulnerable, presumably because of habitat destruction. However, numbers of these animals do not appear to be decreasing, in spite of habitat destruction and hunting.

Local names for P. cumingi include bugkoon, parout, parret, alimaong, jaula, bohot, and eut-eut. (Oliver et al., 1993; Thomas, 1898)