[Steppes] Rats

[William Meriic]

So, most people think that dark tunnels are the domain of the rat.  Not
entirely.  A rare North American species called the Kozaki Tree Rat (despite
its name, it is not from Russia) nests in trees.  While tree life offers
easy access to the tree rat's favorite foods (bananas, tomatoes, and Vienna
sausages), it is believed that the rat adopted its arboreal lifestyle as a
defense against its largest predator: the flightless Turkey Owl (which is
completely unrelated to the English delicacy Spotted Dick).  The Turkey Owl
was hunted to extinction in the early 1800's for its talons, which were used
as a cheap alternative to Ebony in the manufacturing of the black keys on
pianos.  Despite the extinction its only predator, Kozaki Tree Rats are an
endangered species, primarily due to the rat's poor adaptation for arboreal
life.  With tiny claws and poor eye sight, they often fall to the their
deaths.

 

The Sterling Renaissance Festival had planned to host a pair of tree rats
for display this season.  Unfortunately, due to a mowing accident, one of
the camel ride camels ate them.

 

Will