Dictionary

moonrat en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈmuːnɹæt/

Etymology

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

Meanings

1. A gymnure, especially the greater gymnure, Echinosorex gymnura.
   • Moonrats are a lowland forest species which feed primarily on worms and arthropods. 2005, E. Meijaard, editor, Life After Logging, page 82:
   • 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). 1997, Andrew Grieser Johns, Timber Production and Biodiversity Conservation in Tropical Rain Forests, page 87:
   • 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. 2004, Fred Cooke, The Encyclopedia of Animals: A Complete Visual Guide, page 86:

Forms

Translations (3)

sv månråtta (Echinosorex gymnura) · pl gołyszek właściwy (Echinosorex gymnura) · fi isorottasiili (Echinosorex gymnura)