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  • Writer's pictureJennifer J

The Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat


Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat

Malagasy Giant Jumping Rats are native to Madagascar.

These animals are so endangered that they are only found in a small part of the island of Madagascar today.

Their Conservation Status and Population

As stated, Malagasy Giant Jumping Rats are today an endangered species.

The population of the Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat was last assessed in 2016 by the IUCN. Their population then was 36,000 animals.

However, it is unknown whether these animals are decreasing in population, increasing in population or are renaming the same.

What Are The Threats To Their Existence Today?

As an endangered species, these animals face several threats which could lead to their extinction.

Among the threats they face today include: deforestation and invasive species within the Malagasy Giant Jumping Rats habitat.

What Is The Habitat Of These Animals?

As they live in Madagascar, the habitat of these animals is primarily forests.

Madagascar's Rainforests Are In Trouble

The future for Malagasy Giant Jumping Rats, and other animals that live within the Madagascan rainforest could be a bleak one, as the Madagascan rainforest is on course to being completely destroyed within the next few decades if deforestation and climate change continues.

Most of Madagascars rainforest has already been destroyed since humans settled on the island. A massive 80% of the Madagascan rainforest has already been destroyed at the hands of humans. And it is now estimated that the rest of the Madagascan rainforest will be gone by 2070, due to a mixture of deforestation and climate change.

If the Madagascan rainforest disappears, then so will all of the animals within it, and, it will likely lead to mass extinction of species - both plant and animal species - that live within the Madagascan rainforest today. This includes the Malagasy Giant Jumping Rat, which is already vulnerable to extinction due to them being endangered today.

If we are going to save the Malagasy Jumping Rat, and all other plant and animal species within the Madagascan rainforest, then we need to preserve the Madagascan rainforest and stop climate change. Otherwise, we will lose these beautiful animals forever and they will become extinct.

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