One of the most unusual and little-known rodents in the world, found only on the Galápagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador. Belonging to the genus Aegialomys, these small mammals are among the very few native land mammals of the islands, making them a special part of the archipelago’s unique biodiversity. Unlike the giant tortoises, iguanas, and finches that made the Galápagos world-famous, the rice rats are far more secretive—small, nocturnal, and shy, they are rarely seen by visitors. They have soft brownish-gray fur, pale underparts, and long tails.

Stranded on these volcanic islands thousands of years ago, they evolved in isolation, adapting to dry shrublands, lava fields, and coastal habitats. Some populations forage on seeds, fruits, and insects, while others have been observed feeding along beaches and rocky shores, hinting at a more flexible diet than their mainland relatives. Their ability to survive in environments with little fresh water suggests they are highly efficient at conserving moisture from food—an essential trait in the often arid Galápagos climate.

The Galápagos rice rats are thought to be among the earliest colonizers of the islands, arriving long before humans or most modern wildlife, probably by floating across the ocean on natural rafts of vegetation from South America. This makes them true pioneers of the archipelago, much like the ancestors of the famous Darwin’s finches.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Ecuador

VU

2016

Galápagos