Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat vs Marley’s Golden Mole

Nephelomys nimbosus compared with Amblysomus marleyi

Key Differences

• Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat is Vulnerable while Marley’s Golden Mole is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat	Marley’s Golden Mole
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (Mammals)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Rodentia (Rodents)	Afrosoricida (Afrosoricida)
Family	Cricetidae	Chrysochloridae
Genus	Nephelomys	Amblysomus
Species	Nephelomys nimbosus	Amblysomus marleyi

Evolutionary Relationship

Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat and Marley’s Golden Mole share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Mammals)

Conservation Status

Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat

VU — Vulnerable

Marley’s Golden Mole

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat	Marley’s Golden Mole
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Lesser Golden-bellied Rice Rat

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Colombia and Ecuador. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Marley’s Golden Mole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.