Found only in Madagascar, this rare animal looks a bit like a mix between a rabbit, a squirrel, and a rat. It has soft brown fur on its back, a pale belly, and large, dark eyes that help it see well at night. One of its most striking features is its long hind legs, which are much stronger than its front legs—perfect for hopping through the dry forest like a little kangaroo. It’s mostly active at night and spends the daytime sleeping in burrows it digs underground. Its diet is simple—mostly made up of seeds, fruits, and leaves.

What really makes this animal stand out from other rodents is how it lives and behaves. While most rats have many babies and live fast-paced lives, the Malagasy giant rat does the opposite. It mates for life and usually has just one or two babies per year. This slow, steady way of life is rare among rodents. It also builds large, complex burrows with multiple entrances and nesting chambers, which is more like what you’d expect from animals like meerkats or rabbits than from a rat. The way it moves is another thing that makes it special. Instead of running, it hops on its strong back legs, especially when it’s startled. This jumping ability helps it escape predators quickly in its dry forest home. Because it’s so shy and quiet, it’s rarely seen, even by people who live near its habitat. It’s not aggressive and doesn’t cause trouble, which makes it all the more mysterious.

Sadly, the Malagasy giant rat is critically endangered. Its population has dropped sharply due to deforestation, farming, and wildfires that are destroying its natural home—the dry deciduous forests of western Madagascar. It now survives in only a very small area called the Menabe region.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Madagascar

5,036

Official estimate

CR

2022