Photo: The Thaiger

 

A local angler in Yala, southern Thailand, has discovered a rare and endangered moonrat while fishing in a canal. The unusual find will soon be returned to its natural habitat. The discovery was reported by Phatcharin Prathummek from the Betong Animal Lover Club, who then showed the media the moonrat at her house.

 

The moonrat, weighing over 1 kilogram, was found floating in the canal and rescued with a fishing net. Initially, Phatcharin mistook it for a bamboo rat but later identified it as a moonrat after some research. Known in Thailand as Noo Men or Sato, the moonrat is recognized by its strong, ammonia-like smell, which it uses to communicate.

 

 

With long, shaggy black and white fur and a distinctive black stripe across its face, the moonrat prefers to live in solitude, often in burrows or crevices. It feeds on worms, insects, and small aquatic animals. The moonrat is endangered due to habitat loss and is protected by Thai law.

 

Phatcharin and the angler assured the public that their intention is not to keep the moonrat as a pet but to safely return it to the wild.

 

 

-- 2024-12-06

 

 

Quote

Rare Endangered Moonrat Found in Yala, Soon to Return Home

Elon Musk is providing the SpaceX flight.

4 minutes ago, klauskunkel said:

Elon Musk is providing the SpaceX flight.

 

Extradition of the Outpace Creature to where it belongs...

Well done that man. Good to hear about people caring for animals.

Looks like an American possum without the prehensile tail. Hopefully it returns close to where it was found. They are apparently ground cleaners of insects. 

4 minutes ago, jcmj said:

Looks like an American possum without the prehensile tail.

It’s open season year round for those roadkill critters in the US.

Does the moonrat have a moonshadow?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPbuSrRfCaU

Yes, it does look like a possum and not an oversize rat.