Rats

Malaysian field rat, Tikus belukar
Rattus tiomanicus

It has brown upper parts and light grey to white underside, with a dark-coloured tail. It is able to climb well and spends time on trees, and forage on ground. Malaysian field rat hides under fallen logs, in log piles, palm fronds and crowns of palm trees

Brown rat, Tikus mondok
Rattus norvegicus

It has brown to brownish-grey fur. It has acute hearing and is sensitive to ultrasound. It is also a good swimmer. The brown rat is capable of rapidly reproducing hence, efforts to eradicate the species in urban areas are usually unsuccessful.

Asian house rat
Rattus tanezumi

The colour of its fur is olive-brown upper-side with lighter underside, a dark grey tail and it is nearly naked. It has large ears with jet-black eyes. It can run fast and climb well. The asian house rat is also capable of jumping up to 50cm high.

Local name: Tikus belukar

Activity pattern: Mainly nocturnal

Ecological function: Scavenger

Level in food chain: Secondary consumer

Feeding behaviour:  Omnivore

Food items: Vegetables including oil palm fruits, animal matter

Microhabitat: Found in a wide variety of habitats including coastal forests, especially mangroves, secondary forests and grasslands. It has also adapted to plantations such as rubber and sometimes oil palm.

Local name: Tikus mondok

Activity pattern: Nocturnal

Ecological function: Scavenger

Level in food chain: Secondary consumer

Feeding behaviour:  Omnivore

Food items: Consumes almost anything including scrambled eggs, raw carrots, cooked corn kernels

Microhabitat: Sewage, holes in houses, drains

Local name: –

Activity pattern: Nocturnal

Ecological function: Scavenger

Level in food chain: Secondary consumer

Feeding behaviour:  Omnivore

Food items: Consumes almost anything including farmyard wastes and food scraps

Microhabitat: Can be found in various man-made habitats including agricultural and urban areas