P. pallidus Skull Replica measures 3.7 inches. P. pallidus Skull is museum quality polyurethane resin cast. Made in the USA. 2-part skull (separate cranium and jaw). Known as Slender-Tailed Cloud Rat.
The P. pallidus, Slender-Tailed Cloud Rat, Southern Luzon Giant Cloud Rat or Cloudrunner Rat are a group of arboreal and folivorous nocturnal rodents native to the forests of the Philippines. There are six known species of true cloud rat, and two dwarf cloud rat species.
This very large rodent weighs 4.2–5.7 lb. and is 29.5–30.5 in. long, including its tail.
The P. pallidus color of its relatively long pelage, which also covers the tail, is highly variable, but usually it is mostly very pale brown-grey or white with some dark brown or black patches. They often have a black mask and collar, but can also be entirely white.
The P. pallidus has small ears, long, sensitive whiskers growing from around a blunt muzzle, and a densely furred tail. Its large hindfeet and long claws give them excellent tree-climbing abilities.
They are only found in northern and central part of Luzon, the Philippines. It is found in at least 12 provinces.
The Phloeomys pallidus prefers forest and scrub, but also occurs in degraded habitats such as plantations. It occurs from sea level to an altitude of about 7,200 ft.
P. pallidus is nocturnal and feeds on various types of vegetation. Because of its relatively large size, it does not enter traditional small-mammal traps and this has limited research of the species.
Northern Luzon giant cloud rats often live in pairs with one or two dependent young. They give birth in hollow boles of trees (standing or fallen) or in burrows in the ground.
Cloud rats give birth to only one young each year. The mother carries her young firmly attached to a nipple.
The P. pallidus can cause extensive damage to rice crops and are sometimes considered a pest. They are regularly hunted for food in the Sierra Madre.
It has been extirpated from some regions because of hunting, but overall it appears to be able to withstand hunting pressure and in general it remains common and widespread.
Although they are widespread and locally abundant, population stability is also threatened by the destruction of forest habitats.
This P. pallidus is legally protected from hunting, except by indigenous people using traditional hunting methods and they can be found in several national parks and other locally protected areas.
