Indian Bandicoot or Greater Bandicoot Rat-(Bandicota indica)

Family: Muridae

Identification- The greater bandicoot rat (Bandicota indica) is the largest, weighing 0.5 to 1 kg (1.1 to 2.2 pounds). The shaggy, blackish brown body is 19 to 33 cm (7.5 to 13 inches) long. Fur: dorsum brown-black, ventrum dark grey, not sharply demarcated; guard hair developed on the back. Tail: shorter than head and body (about 10% shorter); uniformly dark with a white ring at its basis. Ears: short and thick, Feet: black with long claws, Teeth: yellow-orange broad incisors, Hind foot: long, over 40 mm for adults, dark hairs above, stronger than that of Bandicota savilei, Mammae: 1 + 2 + 3

Habitat- This species is commonly found in fields, villages and cities. It naturally is found in swampy areas, and is especially common in lowland rice fields. Animals construct burrows in stream banks, paddy dikes and the edges of fields.  Large and complex burrows with many rooms used for nesting and food storage, at the edge of fields, dikes, streams banks, and even of city streets.

Behavior and ecology- ferocious nature, good swimmer and diver. When trapped in a cage, Bandicota indicia be recognized by its noisy growling and its threatening posture.

Food- omnivorous in diet can feed largely on products of cultivation, such as rice, grains, sugar cane.

Facts-The Greater Bandicoot Rat (Bandicota indica) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae In Sri Lanka, the bandicoot rat is known as "Uru-Meeya" in Sinhala Language, the meaning of which directly translates to "Pig-Rat”. The typical litter size between five and sevemn young. A young / baby of a greater bandicoot rat is called a 'kitten, nestling, pinkie or pup'. The females are called 'doe' and males 'buck'. A greater bandicoot rat group is called a 'colony, horde, pack, plague or swarm'.