moonrat

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See also: moon rat

English

Echinosorex gymnura (stuffed)

Alternative forms

Etymology

From moon +‎ rat, a calque of Malay tikus balan (tikus (rat) + bulan (moon)).

Pronunciation

Noun

moonrat (plural moonrats)

  1. A gymnure, especially the greater gymnure, Echinosorex gymnura.
    • 1997, Andrew Grieser Johns, Timber Production and Biodiversity Conservation in Tropical Rain Forests, page 87:
      Incidental observations on moonrats Echinosorex gymnurus in Malaysia suggests that this species is uncommon everywhere but does occur in low numbers in logged(1-12:51) forest in peninsular Malaysia (Johns 1989a).
    • 2004, Fred Cooke, The Encyclopedia of Animals: A Complete Visual Guide, page 86:
      The smell of rotting onions, stale sweat, or ammonia may indicate the presence of a moonrat, which produces a strong scent from two glands near the anus. The animal uses this powerful odor to mark its territory. A solitary creature, the moonrat will emit hiss-puffs and low roars if it encounters another member of its species.
    • 2005, E. Meijaard, editor, Life After Logging, page 82:
      Moonrats are a lowland forest species which feed primarily on worms and arthropods.

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