Cane rat
Cane rats (genus Thryonomys) are large African rodents. There are two species. The greater cane rat (T. swinderianus) is widespread in moister habitats. The other species, T. gregorianus, lives in drier parts of eastern and southern Africa.[1] They form the family Thryonomyidae, and their closest relative is the dassie rat (Petromuridae).[1][2]
Description
Cane rats weigh about 1.4–5.2 kg. Among African rodents, only the porcupines are larger. Their tail is short. Their orange upper incisors each have three grooves.[1] The greater cane rat has coarse, bristly fur, short ears and a rounded nose.[3]
Habitat and behaviour
Cane rats live in tall, thick grass near swamps and rivers, where they make runways.[1][3] They eat only plants, mainly grasses.[1] They can become numerous in fields of crops.[3]
Breeding
The greater cane rat is pregnant for about 155 days. It usually has three or four young, which are born well developed.[1][3] Cane rats are hunted for meat, and people have studied ways to farm them.[1]
History
The earliest known Thryonomys fossils, from Kenya, are about 6 million years old. The family was more varied in the past than it is today.[1]
Status
Both cane rats are listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.[4][5]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Monadjem, Ara; Taylor, Peter J.; Denys, Christiane; Cotterill, Fenton P. D. (2015). Rodents of Sub-Saharan Africa: A Biogeographic and Taxonomic Synthesis. De Gruyter. Section: Thryonomyidae. ISBN 9783110389234.
- ↑ Myers, P. (2001). "Petromuridae". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Gochis, E. (2002). "Thryonomys swinderianus". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- ↑ Child, M.F. (2016). "Thryonomys swinderianus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T21847A22278009.en. Retrieved 2 November 2026.
- ↑ Cassola, F. (2017). "Thryonomys gregorianus". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T21846A22277877.en. Retrieved 2 November 2026.