moonrat

From moon +‎ rat, a calque of Malay tikus balan (tikus (“rat”) + bulan (“moon”)).

• IPA^(key): /ˈmuːnɹat/

moonrat (plural moonrats)

1. A gymnure, especially the greater gymnure, Echinosorex gymnura.
   • 1997, Andrew Grieser Johns, Timber Production and Biodiversity Conservation in Tropical Rain Forests, page 87,

     Incidental observations on moonrats Echinosorex gymnurus in Malaysia suggests that this species is uncommon everywhere but does occur in low numbers in logged^(1-12:51) forest in peninsular Malaysia (Johns 1989a).

   • 2004, Fred Cooke, The Encyclopedia of Animals: A Complete Visual Guide, page 86,

     The smell of rotting onions, stale sweat, or ammonia may indicate the presence of a moonrat, which produces a strong scent from two glands near the anus. The animal uses this powerful odor to mark its territory. A solitary creature, the moonrat will emit hiss-puffs and low roars if it encounters another member of its species.

   • 2005, E. Meijaard (editor), Life After Logging, page 82,

     Moonrats are a lowland forest species which feed primarily on worms and arthropods.

• Moronta, manroot