The giant bushy-tailed cloud rat or Luzon bushy-tailed cloud rat (Crateromys schadenbergi) is a large, endangered species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is only found in pine and mossy forest at altitudes of 2000m-2740mm (7,000feet-8,990feetm) in the Central Cordillera of Luzon, the Philippines.[1] Relatively little is known about its behavior, but it is nocturnal, mainly arboreal and feeds on various types of vegetation.[1]
It is rarer than the northern Luzon giant cloud rat, a shorter-haired species that mainly occurs at lower elevations, but locally the giant bushy-tailed cloud rat remains moderately common in oak-pine forest.[1] The primary threats are hunting and habitat loss.
The appearance of the giant bushy-tailed cloud rat has been described as spectacular,[1] and it appears to be an equivalent of large tropical tree squirrels, which are not found in Luzon. It weighs 1.35kg-1.5kgkg (02.98lb-03.3lbkg) and is 73.5cm-76cmcm (28.9inches-30inchescm) long.[1] The very long, soft fur, which also covers the tail, is typically all black, but some individuals have white patches.[1]