The newly discovered rat has a long, scaly tail that researchers believe helps it grip while travelling through the trees. The animals' ancestors probably travelled to the islands on vegetation.

Rats are generally larger, with robust bodies and long tails, while mice are smaller and have more slender bodies and shorter tails. Behaviorally, rats are known for their cautious nature and ...

The native rat has telltale black feet and a long black and white tail. Weighing up to 800g, it's considered enormous compared to its more common relatives such as the golden-backed tree-rat at ...

Techniques for blood collection from the rat include puncture of the heart, retro-orbital plexus, jugular vein, saphenous vein, tail blood vessels, carotid artery, abdominal aorta, and vena cava.