Boomrat

Boomrats inhabit arid shrublands and temperate forests. Either by deliberate genetic weaponization, or as an unusual defense mechanism, these rodent-like creatures create a powerful fire-starting explosion when killed. The explosion also triggers when they are slaughtered, so be careful of that.

Boomrats are best hunted while it is raining because the rain will extinguish the fire that boomrats make when they die, saving the colonists the job of putting it out.

They will also eat your crops if given the chance.

Taming

Tamed Boomrats are useful Release animals in raids or certain events, although they should be kept away from the main base (particularly the flammable parts).

Tactics

They are a smaller version of the Boomalope and spawn in areas where the ground is mostly flammable. Like the Boomalope they are a punishment for being in an area with a long or year round growing season, and are very dangerous to settle near for a permadeath settlement as a man hunter pack of them can create a devastating fire with no hope of being stopped, that will eventually melt through steel. It is very hard for your colony to put the fire out until it rains. Consider avoiding them, and keeping them healthy. They are much less dangerous in rain, so consider exterminating as much of them as you can if it rains, or taming them to sell them, slaughter them in a lake, or an area with no risk of fire, such as a room with a firefoam popper or stone floors, if you ever lack the meat for high quality meals.