Forgotten Animals Feature No.1: The Moonrat

Introduction of the "Forgotten Animals Feature" news project:

This world is full of beautiful animals. The animals that we are most familiar with (and that you see mainly here on DeviantArt) are mammals, usually big and well-known carnivores (wolves, cats) and ungulates (like horses or antelopes). Birds are well appreciated as well, but less attention is given to other vertebrates like amphibians, reptiles and fishes, not mentioning the "invertebrates".

But even among the well known mammals, there are animals that might have slipped your attention. There is about 5,488 species of mammals, most of which are very little known. There is about 9,990 known birds, 8,734 reptiles, 6,347 amphibians and as much as 30,700 described fish species (data taken from IUCN 2008, www.iucnredlist.org). Invertebrate groups numbers are estimated as follows: 81,000 molluscs, 40,000 crustaceans, 98,000 arachnids (spiders), 2,175 corals and more than 950,000 insects.

It is not in human capability to know them all, yet still, some of these animals are really interesting. And luckily, even some of the least known animals usually have some artwork here on DeviantArt! this is where I come, to choose a random AWESOME yet unknown animal (or group of animals), write a short description about it's species, relatives and status, and feature all the fine artwork depicting the species found here on DA. I hope it will be both fun and interesting for at least anyone here... and maybe to inspire you to draw some of these animals!

So, today's featured animal is.... The moonrat! (Echinosorex gymnura)
Czech name: Srstín krysí

Although the Insectivoran family of Erinaceidae, the hedgehogs, is well-known and popular, less is known about its hairy relatives who lack spines. They are called moonrats (or moon rats) and their best known member is the featured moonrat Echinosorex gymnura. There are two other genera of the furry hedgehogs, Hylomys with 5 species and Podogymnura with 2 species, all of wich are called Gymnures in common English and have shorter tail than the moonrat.

Moonrats inhabit moists forests and swamps of Asia. They are nocturnal and insectivorous-carnivorous, feeding mostly on invertebrates, but occasionally feeds on smaller vertebrates and fruits. They can release a strong odour, similar to skunks, with which they mark territories or repel enemies. Adults live alone and females usually give birth to two youngs. Their IUCN status is Least Concern (not threatened).