Gambian pouched rat

The Gambian pouched rat, also known as the African giant pouched rat, is a fascinating rodent native to Sub-Saharan Africa. Belonging to the genus Cricetomys, this large murid can grow up to 0.9 meters in length, including its tail. Despite its impressive size, it’s a nocturnal animal with poor eyesight, relying heavily on its keen senses of smell and hearing to navigate and locate food.

These rats are omnivores, consuming a variety of foods such as vegetables, insects, and palm fruits. In the wild, they live in colonies and can be found in forests, thickets, and even termite mounds. One unique feature of the Gambian pouched rat is its cheek pouches, similar to those of a hamster, which it uses to store large amounts of food for later consumption.

Reaching sexual maturity between 5 to 7 months old, these rats can be quite prolific, producing up to four litters a year with as many as six offspring in each litter. Males are known to be territorial and can be aggressive towards one another.

Unfortunately, the Gambian pouched rat has also gained a reputation as an invasive species in Florida. After escaping captivity, it is believed to have played a role in the 2003 monkeypox outbreak. Consequently, importing these rats into the United States is now banned.

On a brighter note, these rats are making a positive impact in Tanzania, thanks to an organization called APOPO. They train these clever rodents, dubbed HeroRATS, to detect land mines and tuberculosis. These rats are proving to be a cost-effective alternative to mine-detecting dogs and are being utilized in several countries to help clear mines.

Ongoing research is focused on maximizing the potential of these remarkable rats in detecting mines and diseases and improving their training methods.