Here at the RatHole, we will be featuring a new rat each week. You will learn the habitat, range and size of the rat of the week, in addition to seeing a colorful illustration and learning the rodent's latin name. It's just our way of paying a little homage to the critters that inspired the site and offering a bit of educational value to you, our loyal readers. So while you're surfing the site in search of other trivia, don't forget to check back here from time to time to see the rodent of the week.
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Karroo Rat Parotomys brantsi |
| RANGE: |
South Africa: Cape Province |
| HABITAT: |
sandy plains |
| SIZE: |
body: 5.25-6.75 in; tail: 3-4.75 in |
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Karroo rats are gregarious animals which live in colonies. They dig burrows and sometimes build nests of sticks and grass above the burrows. They are nervous, wary animals and stay near their shelter most of the time. Leaves of the saltbush tree provide the bulk of their diet, and they generally feed during the day. Every 3 or 4 years, their population decreases dramatically and they feed on agricultural crops, causing considerable damage. Karroo rats are believed to breed about four times a year, producing litters of 2 to 4 young. |
Rat information compliments of Macmillan Illustrated Animal Encyclopedia
Rat illustration by Graham Allen
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