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The '''Gambian pouched rat''' ('''''Cricetomys gambianus'''''), also [[Common name|commonly]] known as the '''African giant pouched rat''', is a [[species]] of [[nocturnal]] [[pouched rat]] of the [[giant pouched rat]] [[genus]] ''Cricetomys'', in the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Nesomyidae]]. It is among the largest [[Muroidea|muroid]]s in the world, growing
The Gambian pouched rat is sometimes kept as a pet, but some have escaped from captivity and become an [[invasive species]] in [[Florida]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keeping and caring for Gambian pouched rats as pets |website=The Spruce Pets |url=https://www.thesprucepets.com/gambian-pouched-rats-as-pets-1236743 |access-date=2021-01-28 |lang=en}}</ref> In the United States, the [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]] (CDC) and the [[Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) now ban the importation of this species because it is blamed for the [[2003 Midwest monkeypox outbreak|2003 outbreak
==Characteristics==
[[File:Cricetomys gambianus 01 MWNH 266.jpg|thumb|Skull of a Gambian pouched rat]]
{{citations needed|section|date=February 2019}}
The Gambian pouched rat has very poor [[eyesight]], so it depends on its senses of [[Olfaction|smell]] and [[Hearing (sense)|hearing]].<ref>{{cite journal |first1=M.A. |last2=Ogunbunmi |first2=T.K. |last3=Olopade |first3=J.O. |last4=Ihunwo |first4=A.O. |year=2014 |title=The olfactory bulb structure of African giant rat (''Cricetomys gambianus'', {{small|Waterhouse 1840}}) I: Cytoarchitecture |journal=Anatomical Science International |volume=89 |issue=4 |pages=224–231 |last1=Olude |s2cid=25811366 |doi=10.1007/s12565-014-0227-0 |pmid=24469950}}</ref> Its name comes from the large, [[hamster]]-like pouches in its cheeks. It is not a true [[rat]], but is part of an African branch of [[muroid rodent]]s. It typically weighs between {{convert|1.0|and|1.4|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=Kingdon>{{cite book |last=Kingdon |first=J. |year=1997 |title=The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals |pages=199–200 |publisher=Academic Press |isbn=0-12-408355-2}}</ref> In its native Africa, the pouched rat lives in colonies of up to 20, usually in forests and thickets, but also commonly in [[termite]] mounds. It is [[Omnivore|omnivorous]], feeding on [[vegetable]]s, [[insect]]s, [[crab]]s, [[snail]]s, and other items, but apparently prefers [[
==
{{Main article|APOPO}}
A [[Tanzanian]] social enterprise founded by two Belgians, [[APOPO]] ("Anti-Personnel Landmines Removal Product Development" in English), trains
In 2020, a Hero Rat named [[Magawa]] (2013–2022)<ref name="Magawa-obit">{{cite web |title=Magawa, the landmine-sniffing hero rat, dies aged eight |website=[[BBC News]] |date=2022-01-11 |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-59951255 |access-date=2022-01-11}}</ref> received a [[People's Dispensary for Sick Animals]] [[PDSA Gold Medal|Gold Medal]], the animal equivalent of the [[George Cross]], becoming the first rat to receive the award since the charity began honouring animals
== Detection of tuberculosis by scent ==
The Gambian pouched rat is currently being used in experiments at [[Cornell University]] to investigate its usefulness in the detection of [[tuberculosis]] in human [[sputum]] samples.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pouched rats sniff for land mines and medical samples |date=18 May 2019 |series=[[Radio National]] [[Robyn Williams|The Science Show]] |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/pouched-rats-sniff-for-land-mines-and-medical-samples/11124508 |access-date=May 22, 2019}}</ref> Reports<ref name="National Geographic">{{cite web|last1=Cengel|first1=Katya|title=Giant Rats Trained to Sniff Out Tuberculosis in Africa|url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/article/140816-rats-tuberculosis-smell-disease-health-animals-world|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815013122/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/08/140816-rats-tuberculosis-smell-disease-health-animals-world/|archive-date=15 August 2016|website=news.nationalgeographic.com|publisher=National Geographic|accessdate=16 August 2016}}</ref> that they are also being used in Mozambique and Tanzania to check tuberculosis test results have proven mildly incorrect: [[Genetic testing]] by Watkins shows [[APOPO]]'s workers are ''[[Cricetomys ansorgei|C. ansorgei]]''.<ref name="APOPO">{{cite web | access-date=2022-11-02 | year=2022 | website=[[APOPO]] | url=https://apopo.org/latest/2016/5/13/rodents-of-unusual-size-rous/ | title=RODENTS OF UNUSUAL SIZE (ROUS)}}</ref>
==As an invasive species==
[[File:Large-Gambian-Pouch-Rat.jpg|thumb|right|A Gambian pouched rat killed in the Florida Keys]]
Gambian pouched rats have become an [[invasive species]] on [[Grassy Key]] in the [[Florida Keys]],<ref>{{cite news |title=More huge Gambian rats found on Grassy Key |date=25 March 2012 |website=keysnet.com |url=http://www.keysnet.com/2012/03/24/433069/more-huge-gambian-rats-found-on.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328043327/http://www.keysnet.com/2012/03/24/433069/more-huge-gambian-rats-found-on.html |archive-date=2012-03-28 }}</ref> after a private breeder allowed the animals to escape in the 1990s.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Johnson|first=Terrell|date=June 3, 2014|title=Invasive Giant Rats Make a Comeback in the Florida Keys {{!}} The Weather Channel - Articles from The Weather Channel {{!}} weather.com|url=https://weather.com/science/nature/news/invasive-giants-rats-return-florida-keys-20140603|access-date=2022-02-25|website=The Weather Channel|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Florida tries to wipe out cat-sized African rats |work=[[Reuters]] |year=2007 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-florida-rats-idUSN2430572020070524}}</ref> Starting in 2007, Florida wildlife officials have tried to eradicate it from Grassy Key, but it was still present {{As of|2014|lc=y}}, and has been sighted nearby on [[Key Largo, Florida|Key Largo]] and in [[Marathon, Florida|Marathon]], Florida.<ref name=":0" />
This outsized African rodent is also believed to be responsible for the [[2003 Midwest monkeypox outbreak]] in the United States, after spreading it to [[prairie dogs]] that were purchased as pets. In 2003, the
==References==
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==Further reading==
* {{cite book |last1=Novak |first1=R.M. |last2=Paradiso |first2=J.L. |year=1991 |title=Walkers Mammals of the World |volume=II |publisher=Johns Hopkins University Press |place=Baltimore, MD}}
* {{cite journal |last1=Perry |first1=N.D. |display-authors=etal |year=2006 |title=New invasive species in southern Florida: Gambian rat (''Cricetomys gambianus'') |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |volume=87 |issue=2 |pages=262–264|doi=10.1644/05-MAMM-A-132RR.1 |s2cid=28074023 |doi-access=free }}
* {{cite journal |last1=Peterson |first1=A.T. |display-authors=etal |year=2006 |title=Native range ecology and invasive potential of ''Cricetomys'' in North America |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |volume=87 |issue=3 |pages=427–432|doi=10.1644/05-MAMM-A-133R3.1 |s2cid=85265719 |doi-access=free }}
* {{cite news |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0210_040210_minerats.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040212012030/http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0210_040210_minerats.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 12, 2004 |title=Mine rats |date=February 2004 |publisher=National Geographic |series=News}} – story regards the use in Africa of giant pouched rats and bees to detect land mines
==External links==
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[[Category:Rodents of Africa]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1840]]
[[Category:
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