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Murinae Collection

Murinae, also known as the water rat, is a fascinating creature that belongs to the family of rodents

Background imageMurinae Collection: Hydromys chrysogaster, water rat

Hydromys chrysogaster, water rat
Plate 1 from a collection of 49 original watercolour drawings of animals by Ferdinand Lucas Bauer (1760-1826), from the H.M.S. Investigator expedition to Australia, 1801-1803

Background imageMurinae Collection: Common dormouse, sketch C016 / 5883

Common dormouse, sketch C016 / 5883
Common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius). Plate from a collection of pencil sketches and watercolour drawings of British mammals circa 1890-1910 by Edward Adrian Wilson (1872-1912)

Background imageMurinae Collection: Engraving depicting a black rat, also known as the ship rat, roof rat, house rat

Engraving depicting a black rat, also known as the ship rat, roof rat, house rat
5308879 Engraving depicting a black rat, also known as the ship rat, roof rat, house rat, is a common long-tailed rodent of the genus Rattus in the subfamily Murinae

Background imageMurinae Collection: Megalomys desmarestii, antillean giant rice rat

Megalomys desmarestii, antillean giant rice rat. Catalogue number NHM 1850.11.30.6

Background imageMurinae Collection: Oligoryzomys victus, St. Vincent pygmy rice rat

Oligoryzomys victus, St. Vincent pygmy rice rat (holotype). Catalogue reference NHM 1897.12.26.1)

Background imageMurinae Collection: A Long-tailed field Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)

A Long-tailed field Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus)

Background imageMurinae Collection: Arabian Spiny Mouse (Acomys sp. ), side view

Arabian Spiny Mouse (Acomys sp. ), side view
Arabian Spiny Mouse (Acomys sp.), side view

Background imageMurinae Collection: Megalomys luciae, saint lucia giant rice rat (holotype)

Megalomys luciae, saint lucia giant rice rat (holotype). Catalogue number NHM 1853.12.16.2

Background imageMurinae Collection: Wood mouse -Apodemus sylvaticus- feeding on seed, Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Wood mouse -Apodemus sylvaticus- feeding on seed, Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Background imageMurinae Collection: Two field mice side by side, front view

Two field mice side by side, front view

Background imageMurinae Collection: A field mouse standing on the tail of a second field mouse, high angle view

A field mouse standing on the tail of a second field mouse, high angle view

Background imageMurinae Collection: A Rat about to jump into water, side view

A Rat about to jump into water, side view

Background imageMurinae Collection: Grey-brown Mouse (Mus sp. ) feeding, front view

Grey-brown Mouse (Mus sp. ) feeding, front view
Grey-brown Mouse (Mus sp.) feeding, front view

Background imageMurinae Collection: Long-tailed field mouse, artwork C016 / 5884

Long-tailed field mouse, artwork C016 / 5884
Long-tailed field mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus). Plate from a collection of pencil sketches and watercolour drawings of British mammals circa 1890-1910 by Edward Adrian Wilson (1872-1912)

Background imageMurinae Collection: Caloprymnus campestris, Desert rat-kangaroo

Caloprymnus campestris, Desert rat-kangaroo
The Desert-rat kangaroo (Caloprymnus campestris) is an extinct marsupial that lived in Australia. Specimen held at the Natural History Museum, London. Photographed by Harry Taylor, 2010

Background imageMurinae Collection: Megalomys desmarestii, antillean giant rice rat

Megalomys desmarestii, antillean giant rice rat. Catalogue number NHM 1855.12.24.201

Background imageMurinae Collection: Oligoryzomys victus, St. Vincent pygmy rice rat

Oligoryzomys victus, St. Vincent pygmy rice rat (holotype). Catalogue reference NHM 1897.12.26.1)

Background imageMurinae Collection: Conilurus albipes, white-footed tree-rat

Conilurus albipes, white-footed tree-rat
Native name Gnar-ruck. Detail from drawing 81, possibly by Thomas Watling (1762 -c. 1814), from the Thomas Watling Drawings Collection, 1788-c. 1797, held at the Natural History Museum

Background imageMurinae Collection: Rattus norvegicus, brown rat

Rattus norvegicus, brown rat
Plate from a collection of pencil sketches and watercolour drawings of British mammals c. 1890-1910 by Edward Adrian Wilson (1872-1912)

Background imageMurinae Collection: Sceloglaux albifacies, laughing owl

Sceloglaux albifacies, laughing owl
This owl, native only to New Zealand, became extinct in c. 1914, probably due to deforestation and the disappearance of its favourite prey the Kiori rat. Artist unknown

Background imageMurinae Collection: Prosobonia leucoptera, Tahiti sandpiper

Prosobonia leucoptera, Tahiti sandpiper

Background imageMurinae Collection: Mus flavipectus and Mus griseipectus

Mus flavipectus and Mus griseipectus
Plate 42 from Recherches pour servir a l histoire naturelle des Mammifcres, Vols. 1-4, 1868-74, by Dr. Henri Milne-Edwards (1800-1885) & Dr. Alphonse Milne-Edwards (1835-1900)

Background imageMurinae Collection: Rattus rattus, black rat

Rattus rattus, black rat
Detail of plate from a collection of pencil sketches and watercolour drawings of British mammals c. 1890-1910 by Edward Adrian Wilson (1872-1912)

Background imageMurinae Collection: Micromys minutus, Eurasian harvest mouse

Micromys minutus, Eurasian harvest mouse
Harvest mice. Plate from a collection of pencil sketches and watercolour drawings of British mammals c. 1890-1910 by Edward Adrian Wilson (1872-1912)

Background imageMurinae Collection: Mus musculus, house mouse

Mus musculus, house mouse
Plate from a collection of pencil sketches and watercolour drawings of British mammals c. 1890-1910 by Edward Adrian Wilson (1872-1912)

Background imageMurinae Collection: Mesembriomys gouldii, black-footed tree-rat

Mesembriomys gouldii, black-footed tree-rat (Gray 1843). BMNH 1842.5.26.18 skull with abnormal incisors collected by Gilbert, holotype

Background imageMurinae Collection: Oryzomys ratticeps, rice rat

Oryzomys ratticeps, rice rat
From Brazil and Paraguay. Specimen held at The Natural History Museum, London

Background imageMurinae Collection: Mus darwinii, Darwins mouse

Mus darwinii, Darwins mouse
Plate 23 Illustration by John Gould (1804-1881) from The Zoology of the Voyage of H.M.S. Beagle, Vol. 1 Part 2 Mammalia, 1838-1839, by Charles Darwin

Background imageMurinae Collection: Suncus murinus caerulescens, Indian grey musk-shrew

Suncus murinus caerulescens, Indian grey musk-shrew
Young Musk Rats. Annotated watercolour drawing by Oliva Fanny Tonge (1858-1949), from one of 16 sketchbooks presented to the Natural History Museum in 1952



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Murinae, also known as the water rat, is a fascinating creature that belongs to the family of rodents. One notable species within this group is the Hydromys chrysogaster, commonly found in Australia. With its sleek body and webbed feet, it is perfectly adapted for an aquatic lifestyle. Another interesting member of the Common dormouse (sketch C016 / 5883). This adorable little creature can be found across Europe and Asia. Its bushy tail and large eyes make it incredibly endearing. In contrast to the cute dormouse, we have Megalomys desmarestii - the antillean giant rice rat. Native to Caribbean islands, this rodent has a robust build and plays a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance. The Oligoryzomys victus or St. Vincent pygmy rice rat is another intriguing species within Murinae. Endemic to St. Vincent Island in the Caribbean Sea, this tiny rodent showcases remarkable adaptability in its habitat. Moving on from these island dwellers, we encounter A Long-tailed field Mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus), which can be spotted throughout Europe and parts of Asia. Its long tail aids in balancing while climbing trees or scurrying through grassy fields. The Arabian Spiny Mouse (Acomys sp. ) offers a unique sight with its spiky fur coat protecting it from predators in arid regions of Arabia and Africa. Closer to home for some readers may be sightings of Wood mice like Apodemus sylvaticus feeding on seeds in Sauerland, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany – showcasing their resourcefulness even amidst human settlements. Two field mice side by side provide an adorable front view that captures their social nature and companionship they share with each other.