White-faced spiny tree-rat

The white-faced spiny tree-rat (Echimys chrysurus) is a spiny rat species from South America.^[3] It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana and Suriname.

White-faced spiny tree-rat
In northeastern Brazil
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Rodentia
Family:	Echimyidae
Genus:	Echimys
Species:	E. chrysurus
Binomial name
Echimys chrysurus (Zimmermann, 1780)[2]
Synonyms[citation needed]
Myoxus chrysurus Zimmermann, 1780 Echimys cristatus Desmarest, 1817 Echimys paleaceus (Lichtenstein, 1820)

The etymology of the species name derives from the two ancient greek words χρυσός (khrusós), gold, and οὐρά (ourá), animal tail.^[4][5]

Description

Another angle of a white-faced spiny tree rat, making the white median stripe on its head especially visible

White-faced spiny tree-rats typically weigh between 415 and 890 grams (14.6 and 31.4 oz) and have a head-body length of 23 to 29 centimetres (9.1 to 11.4 in). Their fur is made up of a mixture of broad, heavy spines and dark hairs that are brown at the tip and gray along the shaft. The fur near the back of the head is often darker than that along the rest of the animal's body.^[6]

The main diagnostic character state or trait of this Echimys species is the presence of a white stripe on the head. As compared to Echimys vieirai and Echimys saturnus, the pelage on the back of E. chrysurus is brighter.^[7]