Bolivian Chinchilla Rat
CR

Bolivian Chinchilla Rat

Abrocoma boliviensis

Declining

Photo: Photo: Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Abrocoma boliviensis faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in Bolivia's high-altitude ecosystems. Mining activities and infrastructure development have further fragmented the species' already limited range. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the delicate montane environments this chinchilla rat depends upon for survival.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits high-altitude montane grasslands and shrublands in the Bolivian Andes, typically found in rocky areas with sparse vegetation between 3,000-4,500 meters elevation. It prefers areas with adequate rock crevices and burrow sites that provide shelter from extreme weather conditions.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist montane· majorRocky areas· major

Conservation measures underway

Species recovery

Frequently asked questions

Why is Bolivian Chinchilla Rat classified as Critically Endangered?
Bolivian Chinchilla Rat is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Abrocoma boliviensis faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat destruction from agricultural expansion and livestock grazing in Bolivia's high-altitude ecosystems. Mining activities and infrastructure development have further fragmented the species' already limited range. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the delicate montane environments this chinchilla rat depends upon for survival.
Where does Bolivian Chinchilla Rat live?
Bolivian Chinchilla Rat occurs in Bolivia. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Bolivian Chinchilla Rat?
The main threats to Bolivian Chinchilla Rat are 2.3, 4.1, ai-1, and ai-2. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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