The Ryukyu long-haired rat is the biggest rat in Japan. It lives only in the forests of Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, and northern Okinawa. This rare animal is nocturnal and lives in the trees. It eats nuts and fruits.
Its body is about 30 cm long, and its tail is also about 30 cm. It has long, thick fur, which makes it look very different from other rats. One fun thing about this animal is that it can walk along power lines like a tightrope to move between trees. The best time to see this rare animal is in November, during its breeding season.
| Scientific name | Diplothrix legata |
| Habitat | Amami Oshima, Tokunoshima, Okinawa |
| Activity | Nocturnal |
| Conservation status | Endangered |
