What does a yellow ground rat look like? - briefly
A yellow ground rat is a small rodent about 10–12 cm long, with dense, pale‑golden fur covering its back and sides, a darker brown stripe along the spine, and a short, sparsely haired tail. Its ears are rounded and relatively large, and its feet are equipped with sturdy claws for digging.
What does a yellow ground rat look like? - in detail
The yellow ground rat is a medium‑sized rodent, typically measuring 20–30 cm in head‑body length with a tail of comparable length. Its most striking feature is a dense coat of pale, golden‑yellow fur that covers the back and sides, while the ventral surface is a lighter, creamy hue. The fur is short, glossy, and lies close to the body, providing a sleek appearance.
The head is relatively broad, with a blunt snout and well‑developed whiskers. Eyes are medium‑sized, dark brown, and set forward, granting a wide field of vision. Ears are small, rounded, and lie flat against the skull, partially concealed by the surrounding fur. The dentition includes large, chisel‑shaped incisors that protrude slightly beyond the lips.
Limbs are sturdy and proportionate to the body. Front feet possess five small claws each, adapted for digging, while hind feet are slightly larger with a more pronounced claw for propulsion. The tail is hairless, cylindrical, and covered with fine scales, ending in a dark tip; it functions primarily for balance rather than display.
Key identifying characteristics:
- Golden‑yellow dorsal fur, creamy ventral fur
- Short, glossy pelage
- Small, flat ears and dark forward‑facing eyes
- Robust, clawed forefeet for burrowing
- Hairless, scaly tail with dark tip
These traits collectively distinguish the yellow ground rat from other sympatric rodent species.