Polynesian rat: Where It Lives, Map & Facts

Where the Polynesian rat lives – recorded in 13 countries, with quick facts from Wikidata and an introduction from Wikipedia.

Scientific name	Rattus exulans
Group	Mice, rats & other rodents
Status	Least concern (Wikidata, IUCN category label)
Found in	13 countries
Continents	Asia, North America, Oceania, South America
Class	Mammal
Order	Rodentia
Family	Muridae

Where does the Polynesian rat live?

Open-licence (CC0 / CC BY) wild records published on GBIF place the Polynesian rat in 13 countries and territories across Asia, North America, Oceania and South America. In Cambodia, Myanmar, New Zealand, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, Vietnam it is listed as introduced (GRIIS checklists via GBIF).

Countries with at least a handful of records (a minimum share of the species’ records, to leave out vagrants and escapes). Records with coordinates only; captive and fossil records excluded.

Is the Polynesian rat endangered?

The Polynesian rat’s conservation status recorded in Wikidata is “Least concern” (an IUCN Red List category label). Source: Wikidata.

What kind of animal is the Polynesian rat?

The Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans) is a mammal in the order Rodentia and the family Muridae, genus Rattus. (Taxonomy from Wikidata.)

About the Polynesian rat

The Polynesian rat, Pacific rat or little rat (Rattus exulans), or kiore, is the third most widespread species of rat in the world behind the brown rat and black rat. Contrary to its vernacular name, the Polynesian rat originated in Southeast Asia, and like its relatives has become widespread, migrating to most of Polynesia, including New Zealand, Easter Island, and Hawaii. It shares high adaptability with other rat species extending to many environments, from grasslands to forests. It is also closely associated with humans, who provide easy access to food. It has become a major pest in most areas of its distribution.

Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Polynesian rat (revision 1371090930), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Changes: lead section excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Quick facts, taxonomy and status: Wikidata Q339418 (CC0). Countries and pin: GBIF.org occurrence records (CC0 / CC BY 4.0).