© Greg Neise
English Name: Yellow-crowned brush-tailed rat
Local Name: Cococono pequeno
Scientific Name: Isothrix bistriata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Range: South America: Amazon basin
Description
Length: 24 – 27.5 cm (9.5 – 10.8 in); weight: 320 – 570 g (11 – 20 oz). Soft fur (unlike most other neotropical rats). Upper parts of body grayish-brown, rump brown to rusty, underparts pale yellow; head with pale yellow spot on crown, black stripe above eye; long tail covered with thick hair curling outwards, rusty or yellowish near body, rest of tail black. Tail constructed to break off easily if pulled. Large eyes, long whiskers, short naked ears.
Ecology
Practically nothing is known of this species natural history.
Habitat
Lowland evergreen rainforest; perhaps limited to floodplain forest
Niche
Arboreal, nocturnal. May occur in small groups. Little known.
Life History
Usually one to two young; produced once or twice annually.
Status
Unknown; uncommon. One individual is regularly seen near the Amazonia Expeditions lodge at Chino on the Tahuayo River.
