also: あまみとげねずみ
Ryukyu spiny rat
A rodent species (Tokudaia osimensis) endemic to Amami Ōshima; the name is a taxonomic common name.
The Ryukyu spiny rat is an endemic species found only on Amami Ōshima.
Hiragana spelling, also used.
Kanji spelling is rare and mainly found in scientific or formal contexts; the word is usually written in kana.
Compound of 奄美 (Amami, the island) + 棘 (toge, 'spine') + 鼠 (nezumi, 'rat'). The exact derivation is straightforward; the name describes a spiny rat from Amami.