Platacanthomys lasiurus
Malabar spiny dormouse

Platacanthomys lasiurus, or Malabar Spiny Dormice, are found in southern India in the mountains of the Western Ghats. These dormice are endemic to India. (Grzimek, 1975; Mudappa, Kumar, and Chellam, 2001)

Commonly found in rocky, forested areas, Platacanthomys lasiurus make nests in knotholes of trees, cavities in trunks, and occasionally in spaces between rocks. Nests are made of moss and leaves. Good habitat consists of canopy cover and a large proportion of climbing plants, such as lianas.

(Grzimeks, 1975; Mudappa et al., 2001; Nowak, 1995)

Platacanthomys lasiurus have a reddish-brown upper body and a whitish under belly. The fur on the back is interspersed with broad, flat, stiff spines. The tail is only furred at the tip and resembles a brush; it is generally a darker color than the body, though it does lighten at the tip. The tail, ranging from 75 to 100 mm in length, is usually slightly shorter than the body length, which ranges from 130 to 212 mm. Platacanthomys lasiurus have small eyes and ears and a pointed muzzle. Average mass is 75 g.

Platacanthomys lasiurus differ from true dormice (Family Gliridae) in that they have only 3 cheekteeth, as opposed to the 4 that true dormice have. The cheekteeth are high crowned. (Nowak, 1995; Tate, 1947)

A wild born female lived for 20 months in captivity. Lifespan in the wild is unknown.

(Nowak, 1995)

Platacanthomys lasiurus is arboreal and probably primarily active at night. They use their long tail as a balancing organ. Little is known about social organization or behavior in these animals.

(Mudappa et al, 2001)

Platacanthomys lasiurus are herbivorous. In general, they eat fruits, grains, roots, seeds, and peppers. It is their ability to destroy large crops of pepper plants that has lead them to be called pepper rats.

(Grzimek, 1975; Nowak, 1995)

The spines on P. lasiurus's back are very useful anti-predator devices. It has been reported that cats will not try to eat them. Their nocturnal habits also protect them from some predators. Little information on natural predators or anti-predator behaviors is available.

(Grzimek, 1975)

Malabar spiny dormice are important prey species in the ecosystems in which they live, they also may be involved in seed dispersal of the fruits they eat.

Platacanthomys lasiurus adversely affect humans because of the large amount of damage they can do to pepper crops. In some areas, they became so numerous that hunting was a necessity. They also get into "toddy-pots" and drink the fermented palm juice that is kept inside.

(Grzimek, 1975; Nowak, 1995)

Malabar spiny dormice are important members of the community in which they live.

Platacanthomys lasiurus populations are sensitive to habitat changes. To maintain healthy populations, large areas of undisturbed rainforest are needed.

(Mudappa et al., 2001)

There has not been much research done on Malabar spiny dormice.

(Mudappa et al., 2001)