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- Thryonomys gregorianus Thomas, 1894
Thryonomys gregorianus Thomas, 1894
Order: Rodentia > Family: Thryonomyidae > Genus: Thryonomys > Species: Thryonomys gregorianus Thomas, 1894
Common Name: Lesser Cane Rat [English]
Type Description
Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist., ser. 6, 13:202.
Type Locality
Kenya, Luiji Reru River (00°35'S, 37°05'E).
Measurements
Head and body: 350-507 mm
Tail length: 65-143 mm
Hindfoot length: 63-92 mm
Weight: 2.65-7.5 g
Tail length: 65-143 mm
Hindfoot length: 63-92 mm
Weight: 2.65-7.5 g
Description
The cane rats are commonly hunted for food. Look for the three grooves on each of the upper incisors.
Distribution
The tropical species, Thryonomys gregorianus, is found in all altitudes up to 2,600 m in moist savanna and elephant grass from the Cameroons to northern Angola in the west to southern Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique in the east. (Kingdon, 1984, 1997)
Key References
1. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Hares and Rodents). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2B:702-704.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 189.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1650-1651.
4. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 189.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 2:1650-1651.
4. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.