The giant African pouched rat is a large, strictly nocturnal rodent with long, thick grey hair, a long white-tipped tail and cheek pouches it uses to carry food to its nest; the species found in South Africa is Cricetomys ansorgei. Adults measure around 750 mm from nose to tail tip, and the rat is seen only on rare occasions in the Kruger National Park.
Name
African Giant Pouched Rat [Cricetomys ansorgei], also called the Southern Giant Pouched Rat. It was previously considered to be the Gambian Pouched Rat [Cricetomys gambianus] but is now a separate species
Appearance
The African Giant Rat has a body covered in long thick grey hair with under fur slightly whiter. It has a long white tipped tail and has long dark whiskers. The adult measures around 750mm from the tip of tail to the nose with the tail measuring in at 410mm. Both the males and females have a dark ring around their eyes. The male weighs in at 1.3kg and the female weighs 1.2kg.
Diet
The African Giant rat like other rats are omnivorous and eat a wide range of food items. Its diet mostly consists of fruit insects and vegetables. It can carry food in specialized pouches in its cheek which it uses to carry food to its nest.
Breeding
African Giant Rats mostly breed during the summer months. After a gestation period of around 27 days, 2 – 4 pups are born per litter. After 6 weeks, the young leave the nest to forage and completely leave the nest after 3 months of age.
Behaviour
African Giant Rats are very solitary animals outside of mating time. They are strictly nocturnal animals that are adapted to forest scrub and forests with an average rainfall of 800mm per year.
Location
There are several species in this rodent genus, of which the Cricetomys ansorgei occurs in South Africa. These rodents can only be found in the north-east of the country (Limpopo and north-eastern KwaZulu-Natal) and on rare occasions in the Kruger National Park, during Kruger Park Safaris, and the surrounding areas.
Notes
These Giant African Pouched Rats are trained to sniff out landmines and are far less expensive to keep. They are trained quicker and more efficient than dogs. These rats can become an infestation in areas where a lot of rubbish is thrown like landfills, settlements and near water sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is a giant African pouched rat?
Adults measure around 750 mm from the nose to the tip of the tail, of which the tail is about 410 mm. Males weigh about 1.3 kg and females about 1.2 kg, and both sexes have a dark ring around their eyes.
What do giant African pouched rats eat?
They are omnivores that eat a wide range of food, mostly fruit, insects and vegetables. Specialised pouches in their cheeks let them carry food back to the nest.
How do giant pouched rats breed?
They breed mostly during the summer months. After a gestation period of around 27 days, 2–4 pups are born per litter; the young start leaving the nest to forage at 6 weeks and leave it completely at about 3 months.
Are giant pouched rats used to detect landmines?
Yes — giant African pouched rats are trained to sniff out landmines. They are far less expensive to keep than dogs, and they are trained more quickly and are more efficient.
Where do giant African pouched rats live?
Cricetomys ansorgei occurs in South Africa and is seen on rare occasions in the Kruger National Park and surrounding areas. It is a solitary animal adapted to forest scrub and forests with an average rainfall of about 800 mm a year, and can become an infestation near landfills, settlements and water sources.
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