Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rats

High above the forest floor, amongst the branches and leaves, lives a fascinating group of animals that many people know very little about: the Northern Luzon giant cloud rats!

Despite their name, cloud rats aren’t rats that live in the clouds, but they sure do look like a cloud. They are large, tree-dwelling rodents found on an island in the Philippines called Luzon and they are adapted to life high in the forests.

Cloud rats spend much of their lives in trees, using their strong limbs and sharp claws to climb through the forest. They have even been seen to hang upside down to reach the freshest leaves. Their long, furry tails help them balance as they move along branches, while their thick coats provide protection from the cooler conditions of their forest homes. Unlike most rodent species, mothers would typically give birth to one pup a year so they can carry them through the treetops.

Living in the forests means that there is a lot of plant material readily available. Therefore, the cloud rat has developed a herbivorous diet, feeding on a variety of plant material such as leaves, fruits, seeds and other vegetation. Living high in the canopy gives them access to food that may be difficult for many other animals to reach.

Like all wildlife, cloud rats have an important role to play in their natural habitat. As forest-dwelling animals, they are part of a complex ecosystem where every species contributes to the health and balance of the environment. They also play an important role in seed- dispersal, meaning that the ecosystem will continue to thrive.

Currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List due to stable wild numbers, these animals still face threats from localised hunting and habitat loss.

Here at Wingham Wildlife Park, we love introducing visitors to unusual and fascinating animals that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see.

So, let’s meet our cloud rats at Wingham Wildlife Park!

We are currently home to two lovely Northern Luzon giant cloud rats called Akira and Faye which is a mother and daughter pairing. They are currently living their best lives in the Nocturnal House so make sure you give your eyes enough time to adjust so you can fully appreciate these creatures. They have been known to live up to 13 years old, so at the ages of 8 and 7, our girls are doing very well. My favourite thing about them is the way they eat. They hold their food in their hands and make the best chomping noises ever. For all the ASMR lovers I will show you a video so you can all appreciate it too.

Our cloud rats are a fantastic example of a species that can spark curiosity and help us understand just how diverse the world’s rodents really are.

Come and discover our Northern Luzon Giant Cloud Rats at Wingham Wildlife Park and learn more about these amazing animals.

By Meghan, Head of Mammals