Species Fact Profile: Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat (Phloemyx pallidus)

Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat

Phloeomyx pallidus (Nehring, 1890)

Range: Northern and Central Luzon Island (Philippines)
Habitat: Lowland and Montane Tropical Forests, up to 2200 Meters
Diet: Leaves, Fruits
Social Grouping: Pairs
Reproduction: Most information from captivity.  Appear to bred year round.  Single young per year, born in a tree cavity or hole in the ground.  Female carries the infant.
Lifespan: 12 Years
Conservation Status: IUCN Least Concern

• Total length 70-77 centimeters, with 30-32 centimeters of tail.  Weigh 2-2.6 kilograms.
• Large, blunt head has small ears and long whiskers.  Feet and hands are large, adaptations for climbing, while the tail is fully furred
• Fur is long and somewhat rough, usually a combination or white or pale gray/yellow with dark brown or black markings on the face or body.  Some specimens are pure white, others pure black or brown.  Fur in some captive specimens is sometimes reddish
• Nocturnal, primarily arboreal, but may come downt o the forest floor, where it moves slowly
• Locally common within its range, but in decline due to habitat loss to commercial logging and agriculture.  Shows some tolerance for disturbed habitat, such as plantations (will raid crops).  Protected legally, but hunting is allowed by indigenous peoples using traditional hunting methods