The long-tailed pouched rat occurs in a restricted part of central Africa, although the related B. major extends as far south as Zimbabwe. This rat seems to spend much of its life underground in a complex burrow system which it constructs. It feeds mainly on the underground storage organs of plants -- tubers and bulbs -- although the presence of seeds in its food stores suggests that it spends some time above ground searching for food. Groups of up to two dozen rats live together, breeding at all times of the year. Litters contain one to five young, which are mature at about 5.5 months.