moonrat

See also: moon rat

English

Alternative forms

• moon rat

Etymology

From moon +‎ rat, a calque of Malay tikus balan (tikus (“rat”) + bulan (“moon”)).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmuːnɹæt/

Noun

moonrat (plural moonrats)

1. A gymnure, especially the greater gymnure, Echinosorex gymnura.
   • 1997, Andrew Grieser Johns, Timber Production and Biodiversity Conservation in Tropical Rain Forests‎, page 87:

     Incidental observations on moonrats Echinosorex gymnurus in Malaysia suggests that this species is uncommon everywhere but does occur in low numbers in logged^(1-12:51) forest in peninsular Malaysia (Johns 1989a).

   • 2004, Fred Cooke, The Encyclopedia of Animals: A Complete Visual Guide‎, page 86:

     The smell of rotting onions, stale sweat, or ammonia may indicate the presence of a moonrat, which produces a strong scent from two glands near the anus. The animal uses this powerful odor to mark its territory. A solitary creature, the moonrat will emit hiss-puffs and low roars if it encounters another member of its species.

   • 2005, E. Meijaard, editor, Life After Logging‎, page 82:

     Moonrats are a lowland forest species which feed primarily on worms and arthropods.

Translations

gymnure — see gymnure

Echinosorex gymnura

Finnish: isorottasiili Polish: gołyszek właściwy m Swedish: månråtta c

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