The greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus), also called the giant cane rat, is a rodent closely related to the porcupine, unlike most other rat species, with very spiny fur on its back and a rounded face. The largest cane rats reach up to 720 mm in length. It lives along riverbanks and marshes where coarse cane grass grows and can become a major problem for sugar cane farms.
Name
Greater Cane Rat [Thryonomys swinderianus]
Appearance
The Greater Cane Rat is closely related to the Porcupine unlike most other rat species that are related to each other. Giant Cane Rats have very spiny fur on its back and they have a rounded face unlike rats that have a more distinctive pointed or square face. Some of the larger Cane Rats can reach up to 720mm in length.
Diet
Unlike most rats that live on meat and very rarely grass or fruit. Giant Cane Rats forage and gnaw on grass with their large incisors which creates a tooth-chattering sound. Like all rodents, their incisors continuously grow ant they must be constantly gnawing on objects to file them down. Though Giant Cane Rats prefer a greener variety, they can also survive on dry highveld grass thanks to special microbes that help with digestion in the hind gut. Meat from the Giant Cane Rat is regarded as a delicacy in and is considered superior to rabbit meat. Because of tis, The Giant Cane Rat is hunted for food.
Breeding
Giant Cane Rats have a gestation of 153 days and gives birth to two litters per year. Each litter contains 4 well developed pups.
Habitat
Giant Cane Rats live along riverbanks and marshes where the harder and coarser cane grass grow. These Rats can become a major problem for farms that grow cane like crops like sugar cane. These animals can therefore be spotted during a Kruger Park Safari as well as in the camps and surrounds.
Where can they be found?
Found mostly in Kwazulu-Natal and in other parts of South Africa, including the highveld of Gauteng and the Northern Province as well as Mpumalanga. A smaller species of the Cane Rat, the Lesser Cane Rat, can be found in Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Not a very common Sight in the Kruger Park while on a Kruger Park Private Safari as the environment isn’t suited well for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do cane rats eat?
Cane rats gnaw on grass with their large incisors, making a tooth-chattering sound. They prefer greener grass but can survive on dry highveld grass, thanks to special microbes in the hind gut that help with digestion. Like all rodents, their incisors grow continuously and are filed down by gnawing.
Where are cane rats found in South Africa?
Greater cane rats are found mostly in KwaZulu-Natal and in other parts of South Africa, including the highveld of Gauteng, the Northern Province and Mpumalanga. A smaller species, the lesser cane rat, is found in Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Can you see cane rats in the Kruger Park?
Sometimes, but the giant cane rat is not a very common sight in the Kruger Park, because the environment there is not well suited to it. It favours riverbanks and marshes where hard, coarse cane grass grows.
Do people eat cane rats?
Yes — meat from the giant cane rat is regarded as a delicacy and is considered superior to rabbit meat, so the animal is hunted for food.
How many babies does a cane rat have?
A giant cane rat gives birth to two litters a year after a gestation of 153 days. Each litter contains four well-developed pups.
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