Greater cane rat

Last updated

Greater cane rat
Thryonomys swinderianus1.jpeg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Thryonomyidae
Genus: Thryonomys
Species:
T. swinderianus
Binomial name
Thryonomys swinderianus
(Temminck, 1827)
Thryonomys swinderianus range map.png

The greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus), also known as the grasscutter (in Ghana, Nigeria and other regions of West Africa), is one of two species of cane rats, a small family of African hystricognath rodents. [2] It lives by reed-beds and riverbanks in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Contents

Description

A male greater cane rat in captive breeding program in Gabon. Although one of the largest rodents in Africa and one of the largest species commonly called a "rat", it is not directly related to typical Rattus species. Grand aulacode male.jpg
A male greater cane rat in captive breeding program in Gabon. Although one of the largest rodents in Africa and one of the largest species commonly called a "rat", it is not directly related to typical Rattus species.

Greater cane rats can measure in head-and-body length from 43 to 60 cm (17 to 24 in) with the tail measuring 16 to 19.5 cm (6.3 to 7.7 in). Typical weight is 3.2 to 5.2 kg (7.1 to 11.5 lb), in males averaging some 4.5 kg (9.9 lb), and females at 3.4 to 3.8 kg (7.5 to 8.4 lb). In some cases, greater cane rats can weigh to approximately 7 to 9 kg (15 to 20 lb). They are considered one of the largest rodents in Africa, behind only the Hystrix porcupines. [3] [4] [5] [ page needed ] It has rounded ears, a short nose, and coarse bristly hair. Its forefeet are smaller than its hind feet, each with three toes.

Behaviour

Cane rats live in small groups led by a single male. They are nocturnal and make nests from grasses or burrow underground. Individuals of the species may live in excess of four years. If frightened, they grunt and run towards water.

Interactions with humans

As humans expanded into the cane rat's native habitats, the cane rats likewise expanded from their native reeds into the plantations, particularly the sugar cane plantations from which they derive their name. Their tendency to adopt plantations as habitat, where they feed on agricultural crops such as maize, wheat, sugar-cane and cassava, often earns them the label of agricultural pest. However, the peoples of the region also utilize the cane rat as a food source (as bushmeat), considering the meat a delicacy. Consequently, these rats are beginning to be raised in cages for sale. [6]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bamboo rat</span> Tribe of rodents

The bamboo rats are four species of rodents of the subfamily Rhizomyinae. They are the sole living representatives of the tribe Rhizomyini. These species are found in South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blesmol</span> Family of rodents

The blesmols, also known as mole-rats, or African mole-rats, are burrowing rodents of the family Bathyergidae. They represent a distinct evolution of a subterranean life among rodents much like the pocket gophers of North America, the tuco-tucos in South America, or the Spalacidae from Eurasia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cane rat</span> Genus of rodents resembling guinea pigs

The genus Thryonomys, also known as the cane rats or grasscutters, is a genus of rodent found throughout Africa south of the Sahara, the only members of the family Thryonomyidae. They are eaten in some African countries and are a pest species on many crops. The family name comes from the Greek word thryon, meaning a "rush" or "reed" and mys meaning "mouse".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thryonomyidae</span> Family of rodents

Thryonomyidae is a family of hystricognath rodents that contains the cane rats (Thryonomys) found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, and a number of fossil genera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Long-crested eagle</span> Species of bird of prey

The long-crested eagle is an African bird of prey characterised by its shaggy crest of feathers. In the family Accipitridae which includes all the eagles, it is currently placed in a monotypic genus Lophaetus. It is found throughout mid- and southern Africa, with differing home ranges due to food availability and suitable habitat area, but lives mainly on forest edges and near moist areas. Breeding may occur at any time of year, depending on food availability; it lays 1 or 2 eggs as is usual for raptors. It commonly eats smaller mammals, but will also eat other vertebrates and invertebrates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African leopard</span> Leopard subspecies

The African leopard is the nominate subspecies of the leopard, native to many countries in Africa. It is widely distributed in most of sub-Saharan Africa, but the historical range has been fragmented in the course of habitat conversion. Leopards have also been recorded in North Africa as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-flanked duiker</span> Species of mammal

The red-flanked duiker is a species of small antelope found in western and central Africa in countries as far apart as Senegal and Sudan. Red-flanked duikers grow to almost 15 in (38 cm) in height and weigh up to 31 lb (14 kg). They have russet coats, with greyish-black legs and backs, and white underbellies. They feed on leaves, fallen fruits, seeds and flowers, and sometimes twigs and shoots. The adults are territorial, living in savannah and lightly wooded habitats, and the females usually produce a single offspring each year. They have lifespans of ten to fifteen years in captivity.

<i>Otomys</i> Genus of rodents

African vlei rats (Otomys), also known as groove-toothed rats, live in many areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Most species live in marshlands, grasslands, and similar habitats and feed on the vegetation of such areas, occasionally supplementing it with roots and seeds. The name "vlei" refers to the South African term for intermittent, seasonal, or perennial bodies of standing water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tete veld aethomys</span> Species of rodent

The Tete veld aethomys or Tete veld rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in South Africa and Eswatini. Its natural habitats are temperate forests, shrubland, and grassland. The common name refers to the type locality, Tete, on the Zambesi River.

The West African shaggy rat is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in Benin, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland and swamps. It is a common species and the International Union for Conservation of Nature has rated its conservation status as being of "least concern".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northern Luzon giant cloud rat</span> Species of rodent

The northern Luzon giant cloud rat or northern Luzon slender-tailed cloud rat, also known as bu-ot in Filipino, is a large species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is only found in Luzon, the Philippines.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesser cane rat</span> Species of rodent

The lesser cane rat is a species of rodent in the family Thryonomyidae. It is found in Cameroon, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Mozambique. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, and shrub-dominated wetlands.

References

  1. Hoffmann, M. (2008). "Thryonomys swinderianus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2008. Retrieved 2013-09-08.
  2. Woods, C.A.; Kilpatrick, C.W. (2005). "Infraorder Hystricognathi". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 1545. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  3. van der Merwe, M. (2007). "Discriminating between Thryonomys swinderianus and Thryonomys gregorianus". African Zoology. 42 (2): 165–171. doi:10.1080/15627020.2007.11407393. ISSN   1562-7020.
  4. Mustapha, O.A.; Teriba, E.E.; Ezekiel, O.S.; Olude, A.M.; Akinloye, A.K.; Olopade, J.O. (2020). "A study of scientific publications on the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck 1827)". Animal Models and Experimental Medicine. 3 (1): 40–46. doi:10.1002/ame2.12103. ISSN   2576-2095. PMC   7167232 . PMID   32318658.
  5. Smithers, R. H. (2012). Smithers Mammals of Southern Africa. Penguin Random House South Africa. ISBN   978-1-77007-913-7
  6. micro-livestock Micro-livestock: Appropedia - Little-known Small Animals with a Promising Economic Future 7