Argentine swamp rat [SEP] parent taxon
Argentine swamp rat
The Argentine swamp rat ("Scapteromys aquaticus") is a semiaquatic rodent species from South America. It is found in northeastern Argentina and Paraguay, where it lives in freshwater marshes and along the southern coast of the Río de la Plata estuary, as well as in woodland.
It is characterized by having stiff hairs on its otherwise naked tail, which are believed to help the animal swim. "S. aquaticus" is similar in build to members of the genus "Rattus". “[It
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Conservation.
According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species in 2008 the Argentine swamp rat was classified as least concern because of “its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining at nearly the rate required to qualify for listing in a threatened category.”
Habitat.
These rodents are found in low, flooded grasslands, salt marshes and any area with standing water. They are good swimmers and employ the aid of their “swimming fringe” and have also been