Gambian pouched rat

Cricetomys gambianus · The Gambian pouched rat is a giant nocturnal rodent widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal to Kenya and Angola to Mozambique.

Also called African giant pouched rat, Northern Giant Pouched Rat, Gambian Rat, Gambian Giant Pouched Rat.

Gambian pouched rat
Photo: Louisvarley, CC BY-SA 4.0
Gambian pouched rat
Photo: EGOUNLETY Eudoxie, CC BY-SA 4.0
Gambian pouched rat
Photo: Ciaro pictures, CC BY-SA 4.0

Taxonomy

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderRodentia
FamilyNesomyidae
GenusCricetomys
SpeciesCricetomys gambianus

Where it lives

Forests and savannas across sub-Saharan Africa; introduced to the Florida Keys.

Fun facts

  • It has very poor eyesight and relies mainly on its senses of smell and hearing to get around.
  • It can grow up to about 0.9 m (3 ft) long, with its tail making up half that length, making it one of the largest muroid rodents.
  • Its stretchy cheek pouches let it gather up several kilograms of nuts in a single night to stash underground.
  • It sometimes stuffs its cheek pouches so full of date palm nuts that it can barely squeeze back into its own burrow.

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Facts and taxonomy adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).