Jumper Rats

Jumper rats are small rodent-like mammals native to Ocarro. They are mostly wild but some are kept and raised by humans which has led to some domesticated breeds.

Appearance

Jumper rats are small creatures, when they are fully grown they are roughly nine to twelve inches long not including their long tail which tends to be around four inches long. They are covered in soft fur normally beige or gray with a dark streak along their back.
They have big ears, long tails, and long hind legs, making them good at hearing and evading predators. They have sharp claws and teeth which they use to protect themselves from attackers as well as for chewing their food and for digging.

Biology

Diet

Jumper rats are mainly herbivores but also eat insects. They often eat the roots and stems of low-growing plants, they also may eat the beetles and bugs that they may come across.

Behavior

Jumper rats are social creatures, often living together in burrows or warrens together. They create nests by digging with their forelimbs utilizing their strong claws, a group of these burrows that are all interconnected are called warrens. Many Jumper rats can live in one burrow or warren.
They often reproduce in the summer, between late spring and early fall, giving birth to multiple babies in a litter. The parents mate in monogamous relationships and live together raising their offspring.

Uses

Jumper Rats are a common animal on Ocarro and are considered a pest when they get into food supplies and houses, however, they are also a good source of food and are also used for their pelts. Wild jumper rats may be hunted for this purpose, but domesticated jumper rats are also raised and slaughtered for their fur and meat. They may also be kept as pets.
Their meat is used in many Ocarran dishes, with the meat being a staple along with Crocela meat. Their fur and pelts may also be used in clothing and blankets, often in small pieces like bags or shoes, this has been mostly replaced by modern textiles and materials but their pelts are still often used in traditional communities.

Planet of Origin 
Ocarro