Where does the largest rat live? - briefly
The giant African pouched rat, the world’s largest rodent, inhabits sub‑Saharan Africa, favoring savanna, forest edges, and agricultural areas. Its range extends from West Africa through the Congo basin to East Africa’s highlands.
Where does the largest rat live? - in detail
The giant rat known as the Bosavi woolly rat (Mallomys spp.) inhabits the highland forests of the Bosavi region in Papua New Guinea. This area lies within the Southern Highlands Province, at elevations between 2 000 and 3 000 metres above sea level. The terrain consists of cloud‑covered montane rainforest, steep slopes, and river valleys that provide abundant leaf litter and fallen logs for shelter and foraging.
Key ecological characteristics of the species include:
- Nocturnal activity; individuals emerge after dusk to feed on fruits, seeds, and small invertebrates.
- Nest construction within dense understory vegetation, often using moss and fern fronds.
- Limited home range, typically confined to a few hectares due to resource abundance.
The discovery of this rodent occurred in 2009 during an expedition led by a wildlife research team. Specimens measured up to 82 centimetres in total length, with a tail length of approximately 30 centimetres, and weighed as much as 1,500 grams, surpassing the size of most other murid rodents.
Conservation status reflects the species’ restricted distribution. Threats include habitat loss from logging and agricultural expansion. Protective measures involve designation of parts of the Bosavi plateau as a conservation reserve, with ongoing monitoring by local and international NGOs.
In summary, the largest known rat resides exclusively in the montane rainforest of the Bosavi highlands, where its ecological niche is defined by cool, wet conditions, abundant ground cover, and a diet centered on forest produce.