The Laotian rock rat or kha-nyou, sometimes called the "rat-squirrel", is a species of rodent found in the Khammouan region of Laos. The species was first described in a 2005 article by Paulina Jenkins and coauthors, who considered the animal to be so distinct from all living rodents, they placed it in a new family, Laonastidae. It is in the monotypic genus Laonastes.
Laotian rock rat
Skull of L. aenigmamus
Khammouane province (Khammouan) is a province in the center of Laos. Its capital lies at Thakhek.
Khammouane province
Thakhek
Hinboun River
Tham Khonglor