Synopsis of Philippine Mammals

Chrotomys whiteheadi
Thomas, 1895. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 6, 16:161. Type locality: Monte Data, 8000 feet elevation, Lepanto, N. Luzon (= Mountain Province).

© The Field Museum. Photograph by R Banasiak.

Order: RODENTIA
Family: Muridae
Common Name: Cordillera chrotomys, Cordillera striped shrew-rat

Identification:
Total length 254-310 mm; tail 95-135 mm; hind foot 36-40 mm; ear 23-27 mm; weight 105-190 g. A stout-bodied animal with a somewhat short, robust tail, slightly enlarged forefeet, small eyes, and a slightly elongated snout. The fur is soft, dense, and long; it is very dark on the back with a narrow to broad very pale stripe extending from the back of the head to the base of the tail, and with gray/brown sides and abdomen. Males are probably larger than females on average. Chrotomys silaceus is similar in size and shape, but lacks the dorsal stripes and has a shorter ear (19-23 mm).

Distribution:
The Central Cordillera of northern Luzon; records are from Benguet (PNM), Kalinga (FMNH), and Mountain (FMNH) provinces.

© The Field Museum

Habitat and Ecology:
Common in primary and secondary montane and mossy forest from 850 to 2690 m, and in shrubby second growth and regenerating ricefields at ca. 1500- 2000 m. They are active both day and night, burrowing through humus and soil, feeding on earthworms, insects, snails, and other invertebrates. Females have two pairs of inguinal mammae (Heaney et al., 2004; Largen, 1985; Rabor, 1955; Rickart et al., 2007, 2010; Sanborn, 1952).

© The Field Museum. Photograph by LR Heaney. From Luzon Island, Mountain Province.

Status:
Common and widespread in the Central Cordillera in both old-growth and heavily disturbed habitats.

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