Hypogeomys australis

The **giant jumping rat** (*Hypogeomys australis*) is a species of nesomyid rodent, most closely related to the highly endangered Malagasy giant rat (*Hypogeomys antimena*), that originally lived in central and southeastern Madagascar and was once extinct since 1,536 years ago due to human activities, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced to the species' former range to help boost biodiversity. The giant jumping rat, like their slightly smaller relatives, have an appearance somewhat similar to rabbits, though maintaining many rat-like features especially in the face. Males and females both grow to roughly small dog-sized, around 1.4 kilograms (3.0 lbs) and 40 centimeters (15 inches), though with an additional 25-30 centimeters (10-11 inches) of dark tail. The giant jumping rats have a more robust build than the Malagasy giant rat. They have a coarse coat which varies from gray to brown to reddish, darkening around the head and fading to white on the belly. They also have prominent, pointed ears and long, muscular back legs, used for jumping to avoid predators. They can leap almost 3 feet (91 centimeters) in the air. Almost completely nocturnal, the giant jumping rats live in burrows of more than 5 meters (16 feet) across with as many as six entrances which, even those in regular use, are kept blocked by dirt and leaves to discourage predation by the Malagasy ground boa. The other main traditional predatory threats are the puma-like common fossa and the giant fossa, but feral dogs and cats introduced to the island are known to hunt them as well. When foraging, the giant jumping rats move on all fours, searching the dry forest floor for fallen fruit, nuts, seeds, leaves, and some arid-adapted plants. They have also been known to strip bark from trees and dig for roots and invertebrates. Pairs are highly territorial and the male and female will both defend their territory from other rats. They mark their territory with urine, feces, and scent gland secretions. The male giant jumping rat reaches sexual maturity within one year, but will not mate until reaching 1.5 to two years of age. The female giant jumping rat reaches sexual maturity in two years. These rats are one of the few rodent species to practice sexual monogamy. Once mated, a pair will stay together until one of them dies. On the death of a mate, females tend to remain in the burrow until a new male is found. While males usually wait for a new mate as well, they do occasionally move to live with a widowed female. Females give birth to a single offspring after a gestation of 108–142 days (number observed in captivity) once or twice during the mating season, which coincides with the Madagascar rainy season from December to April. The young are raised by both parents, remaining in the family burrow for the first 4–6 weeks, then increasingly exploring and foraging outside. Young males stay with the family unit for one year before achieving sexual maturity and leaving to find their own burrow. Females do not mature for two years and remain with their parents for the extra year. Males are extremely protective of their young. They are known to increase their own predation risk to follow or defend their offspring. The conservation status of the giant jumping rat is **Endangered** due to habitat loss, overhunting, and invasive feral dogs and cats, however, thanks to the conservationists, the giant jumping rat is a protected species and its population trend is increasing.