Fauna
Mammal

Galápagos Rice Rat

Aegialomys galapagoensis

Also known as Galápagos Oryzomys, Santa Fe Rice Rat

Galápagos rice rats are nocturnal island rodents that shelter beneath lava boulders and prickly pear cacti during the heat of the day. They emerge after dusk to forage across coastal arid scrub, searching for fallen seeds, tender succulent shoots, and opportunistic insects. Surviving only on small, predator-free islands, they represent one of the very few native land mammals in the Galápagos archipelago.

EndemicNocturnalIsland Native
Galápagos Rice Rat reference1 / 2
(c) Mike Brady, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyPrickly Pear Cactus Fruit, Native Seeds, Invertebrates
Predators
  • Galápagos Hawk
  • Galápagos Barn Owl
  • Galápagos Lava Gull
ThreatsInvasive black rats, feral domestic animals, and extreme climatic events
HabitatsArid coastal lowlands and lava scrub
Life span1–3 years
Classification
  1. FamilyCricetidae
  2. SpeciesAegialomys galapagoensis
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Capaple of a defensive nip if cornered or handled; observe quietly from a distance.
Why it is dangerous
Like most wild rodents, they have sharp incisors and will bite defensively if grasped or restrained.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by yellowish-brown fur, large dark eyes, and a scaly, lightly haired tail.
What to do
Do not attempt to touch, feed, or corner these native rodents.
What to notice
Medium-sized native rodent active after dusk in dry cactus and scrub zones of Santa Fe Island.
Support conservation
Maintain trail etiquette, pack out all food scraps, and strictly avoid introducing non-native organisms.
Responsible observation
  • Night Spotting: Look quietly along marked trails after dusk using red light to avoid disturbing nocturnal activity.
  • Habitat Protection: Stay strictly on designated paths to avoid crushing delicate lava-rock burrows.
Related species
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