Diatomyidae – Laotian rock rat
A family of hystricomorph rodents that was considered to be extinct for nearly 11 million years
The family only represents a single living species as of now, the Laotian rock rat, which is native to Southeast Asia. Most of the member species of this family are only known through the fossil record. As the name indicates, rock rats are the inhabitants of rocky areas. They look like rats with extremely thick furred tails of a squirrel.
Most of their feed consists of leaves, grass, and seeds. But they may occasionally eat insects, as well, but probably not in high abundance. They live in groups, and females give birth to a single offspring at a time.
