Polynesian rat

species of mammal

The Polynesian rat, or Pacific rat (Rattus exulans), known to the Māori as kiore, is the third most widespread species of rat in the world behind the brown rat and black rat. The Polynesian rat originates in Southeast Asia but, like its cousins, has become well travelled - infiltrating most Polynesian islands including New Zealand, Fiji, and Hawaii.

Polynesian Rat
Scientific classification
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R. exulans
Binomial name
Rattus exulans
(Peale, 1848)
Polynesian Rat range in South-east Asia (in red)