Pictures and facts about the Cane rats

Cane rats

Order : Rodentia
Suborder : Hystricognathi
Family : Thryonomyidae

Facts about the family Thryonomyidae, the cane rats

"Cane rats are not limited to KwaZulu-Natal and the cane-growing areas of Mpumalanga.

Cane rats are large, ranging up to around 9 kg in weight. (Full text)

The pelage of cane rats is unusual, made up of coarse, flattened or grooved bristle-like hairs, and lacking underfur. (Full text)

Cane rats are brown in colour, and their hard, spiny fur gives. (Full text)

Greater cane rats are generally reported to be solitary animals, but small groups of 8 - 10 may live in an area of reedbed. (Full text)

Cane rats are brown in colour, and their hard, spiny fur. (Full text)

The cane toad is more of an environmental problem, but in terms of as a pest risk, yes the cane rats are the major vertebrate pest risk in the sugar industry. (Full text)

Traditionally cane rats are caught in the wild and consumed in rural areas or sold in urban markets like any other bushmeat. (Full text)

The slaughter and consumption of meat from the forest, including snakes and primates, but also porcupines, antelope, cane rats, is a traditional activity in Equatorial Africa. (Full text)