CR

Tylomys tumbalensis

Local name: Tumbalá Climbing Rat

Declining

Overview

The Tumbala climbing rat is a species of rodent in the family Cricetidae. It is found in Mexico, where it is known only from one locality in Tumbalá, Chiapas. The species is threatened by deforestation.

Tylomys tumbalensis faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and habitat conversion in its extremely limited range in the Tumbes region of northwestern Peru and southwestern Ecuador. Mining activities and agricultural expansion have fragmented the remaining dry forest patches, while climate change threatens to alter the delicate moisture balance these climbing rats require. The species' restriction to a narrow elevational band makes it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.

Threat summary

Habitat

This arboreal rodent inhabits dry deciduous forests and semi-humid montane forests in the Tumbes region, typically at elevations between 500-1,500 meters. It requires dense canopy cover and is particularly associated with areas that retain moisture during dry seasons.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionEx-situ conservation

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Tumbalá Climbing Rat classified as Critically Endangered?
Tumbalá Climbing 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. Tylomys tumbalensis faces severe threats from rapid deforestation and habitat conversion in its extremely limited range in the Tumbes region of northwestern Peru and southwestern Ecuador. Mining activities and agricultural expansion have fragmented the remaining dry forest patches, while climate change threatens to alter the delicate moisture balance these climbing rats require. The species' restriction to a narrow elevational band makes it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes.
Where does Tumbalá Climbing Rat live?
Tumbalá Climbing Rat occurs in Mexico. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Tumbalá Climbing Rat?
The main threats to Tumbalá Climbing Rat are 2.1, ai-1, ai-2, and ai-3. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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