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| status = LC |
| status = LC |
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| status_system = IUCN3.1 |
| status_system = IUCN3.1 |
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| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn| |
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn> |
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{{cite iucn |
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|last=Kennerley |first=R. |
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|year=2019 |
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|title=Gambian rat |
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|page=e.T112169507A50534302 |
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|access-date=14 April 2021 |url-status=live |
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}} |
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</ref> |
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| genus = Cricetomys |
| genus = Cricetomys |
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| species = gambianus |
| species = gambianus |
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The '''Gambian pouched rat''' (''Cricetomys gambianus''), also known [[Common name|commonly]] 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]]. The species is among the largest [[Muroidea|muroid]]s in the world, growing up to about {{convert|0.9|m|ft|sigfig=1}} long including the tail which makes up half of its total length.<ref name=Kingdon/> |
The '''Gambian pouched rat''' (''Cricetomys gambianus''), also known [[Common name|commonly]] 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]]. The species is among the largest [[Muroidea|muroid]]s in the world, growing up to about {{convert|0.9|m|ft|sigfig=1}} long including the tail which makes up half of its total length.<ref name=Kingdon/> It is widespread in [[Sub-Saharan Africa]], ranging geographically from [[Senegal]] to [[Kenya]] and from [[Angola]] to [[Mozambique]] (although it is absent from much of the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo|DR Congo]], where [[Emin's Pouched Rat|Emin's pouched rat]] is present) and in altitude from [[sea level]] to {{convert|2000|m|ft}}.<ref name=iucn/> |
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The Gambian pouched rat is sometimes kept as pet, but some have escaped from captivity and become an invasive species in [[Florida]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Keeping and |
The Gambian pouched rat is sometimes kept as pet, but some have escaped from captivity and become an invasive species in [[Florida]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keeping and caring for Gambian pouched ratsas pets |website=The Spruce Pets |url=https://www.thesprucepets.com/gambian-pouched-rats-as-pets-1236743 |access-date=2021-01-28 |lang=en}}</ref> The CDC and FDA in the US now ban the importation of this species because it is blamed for the [[2003 Midwest monkeypox outbreak|2003 outbreak]] of [[monkeypox]]. |
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==Characteristics== |
==Characteristics== |
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[[File:Cricetomys gambianus 01 MWNH 266.jpg|thumb|Skull of a Gambian pouched rat]] |
[[File:Cricetomys gambianus 01 MWNH 266.jpg|thumb|Skull of a Gambian pouched rat]] |
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{{citations needed|section|date=February 2019}} |
{{citations needed|section|date=February 2019}} |
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The Gambian pouched rat has very poor [[eyesight]] and so depends on its senses of [[Olfaction|smell]] and [[Hearing (sense)|hearing]].<ref>{{cite journal | |
The Gambian pouched rat has very poor [[eyesight]] and so 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|and|1.4|kg|lb}}.<ref name=Kingdon>{{cite book |last=Kingdon |first=J. |year=1997 |title=The Kingdon Field Guide to African Mammals |pages=199-200 |ISBN=0-12-408355-2}}</ref> In its native Africa, the pouched rat lives in colonies of up to twenty, 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 preferring [[Arecaceae|palm]] [[fruit]]s and palm kernels. |
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Unlike [[fancy rat|domestic rats]], it has cheek pouches like a [[hamster]]. These cheek pouches allow it to gather up several kilograms of nuts per night for storage underground. It has been known{{by whom|date=February 2019}} to stuff its pouches so full of [[date palm]] nuts so as to be hardly able to squeeze through the entrance of its burrow. The burrow consists of a long passage with side alleys and several chambers, one for sleeping and the others for storage. The Gambian pouched rat reaches [[sexual maturity]] at 5–7 |
Unlike [[fancy rat|domestic rats]], it has cheek pouches like a [[hamster]]. These cheek pouches allow it to gather up several kilograms of nuts per night for storage underground. It has been known{{by whom|date=February 2019}} to stuff its pouches so full of [[date palm]] nuts so as to be hardly able to squeeze through the entrance of its burrow. The burrow consists of a long passage with side alleys and several chambers, one for sleeping and the others for storage. The Gambian pouched rat reaches [[sexual maturity]] at 5–7 months of age. It has up to four litters every nine months, with up to six offspring in each litter. Males are territorial and tend to be aggressive when they encounter one another. |
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==Laboratory use== |
==Laboratory use== |
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The Gambian Pouched rat is currently being used in psychology experiments at [[Cornell University]] in the USA to investigate its usefulness in the detection of [[tuberculosis]] in human [[sputum]] samples.<ref>{{cite web |
The Gambian Pouched rat is currently being used in psychology experiments at [[Cornell University]] in the USA 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> |
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== Invasive species == |
== Invasive species == |
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[[File:Large-Gambian-Pouch-Rat.jpg|thumb|right|A Gambian pouched rat killed in the Florida Keys]] |
[[File:Large-Gambian-Pouch-Rat.jpg|thumb|right|A Gambian pouched rat killed in the Florida Keys]] |
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Gambian pouched rats have become an [[invasive species]] on [[Grassy Key]] in the [[Florida Keys]],<ref>{{ |
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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Florida tries to wipe out cat-sized African rats |agency=[[Reuters]] |year=2007 |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2007/05/24/us-florida-rats-idUSN2430572020070524}}</ref> This outsized African rodent is also believed to be responsible for the [[2003 Midwest monkeypox outbreak|2003 outbreak]] of [[monkeypox]] in the United States, after spreading it to [[prairie dogs]] which were purchased as pets. In 2003, the United States' [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]] and [[Food and Drug Administration|FDA]] issued an order preventing the importation of the rodents following the first reported outbreak of monkeypox. Around 20 individuals were affected.<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Conlon |date=2008-10-06 |title=Kids want an exotic pet? Ask your doctor first |agency=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/oddlyEnoughNews/idUSTRE49576S20081006 |access-date=2008-10-06 }}</ref> |
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==Ability to detect land mines and tuberculosis by scent== |
==Ability to detect land mines and tuberculosis by scent== |
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{{Main article|APOPO}} |
{{Main article|APOPO}} |
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A [[Tanzanian]] social enterprise founded by two Belgians, [[APOPO]], trains Gambian pouched rats to detect [[land mine]]s and [[tuberculosis]] with their highly developed sense of smell. The trained pouched rats are called [[HeroRATS]]. The rats are far cheaper to train than mine-detecting dogs; a rat requires $7,300 for nine months of training, whereas a dog costs about $25,000 for training.{{cn|date=May 2021}}<ref>{{ |
A [[Tanzanian]] social enterprise founded by two Belgians, [[APOPO]], trains Gambian pouched rats to detect [[land mine]]s and [[tuberculosis]] with their highly developed sense of smell. The trained pouched rats are called [[HeroRATS]]. The rats are far cheaper to train than mine-detecting dogs; a rat requires $7,300 for nine months of training, whereas a dog costs about $25,000 for training.{{cn|date=May 2021}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Tuberculosis detectionbygiant African pouched rats |publisher=U.S. National Institutes of Health |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3089413/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Giant rats trainedtosniff out tuberculosis in Africa |website=National Geographic |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/giant-rats-trained-sniff-out-tuberculosis-africa/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In 2020 a Hero Rat received a PDSA Gold Medal, the animal equivalent of the George Cross, becoming the first rat to receive the award since the charity began honouring animals 77 |
In 2020 a Hero Rat received a PDSA Gold Medal, the animal equivalent of the George Cross, becoming the first rat to receive the award since the charity began honouring animals 77 years ago. 'Magawa' has detected 39 landmines and 28 items of unexploded ordnance, clearing over 1,517,712 square feet [141,000 square metres.] of land, preventing many injuries and deaths, in his 4 year career so far. <ref>{{cite news |title=Meet the gold medal-winning rodent |lang=en-GB |website=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-54294192 |access-date=2021-01-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Ng |first=Kate |date=25 September 2020 |title=Cambodia landmine detection rat awarded miniature gold medal for 'lifesaving bravery' |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/landmine-detection-rat-magma-cambodia-award-charity-b575565.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126014426/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/landmine-detection-rat-magma-cambodia-award-charity-b575565.html |archive-date=November 26, 2020}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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== References ==<!-- BelgJZool135:11. --> |
== References ==<!-- BelgJZool135:11. --> |
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{{ |
{{reflist|25em}} |
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* Novak |
* {{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}} |
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* Perry |
* {{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 |pages=262-264}} |
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* Peterson |
* {{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 |pages=427-432}} |
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* |
* {{cite news |url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0210_040210_minerats.html |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 |
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== External links == |
== External links == |
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{{Commons category|Cricetomys gambianus}} |
{{Commons category|Cricetomys gambianus}} |
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* |
* {{cite web |title=APOPO agency mine clearance |url=http://www.apopo.org/newsite/content/index.htm |url-status=dead <!-- presumed --> |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080802214756/http://www.apopo.org/newsite/content/index.htm |archive-date=2008-08-02}} |
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* |
* {{cite web |title=Hero rat |url=http://www.herorat.org/ |url-status=dead <!-- presumed --> |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051231054016/http://www.herorat.org/ |archive-date=2005-12-31}} |
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{{Nesomyidae nav}} |
{{Nesomyidae nav}} |
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| Gambian pouched rat | |
|---|---|
| |
| Cricetomys gambianus as a captive pet | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Nesomyidae |
| Genus: | Cricetomys |
| Species: |
C. gambianus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse, 1840 | |
The Gambian pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus), also known commonly as the African giant pouched rat, is a speciesofnocturnal pouched rat of the giant pouched rat genus Cricetomys, in the family Nesomyidae. The species is among the largest muroids in the world, growing up to about 0.9 metres (3 ft) long including the tail which makes up half of its total length.[2] It is widespread in Sub-Saharan Africa, ranging geographically from SenegaltoKenya and from AngolatoMozambique (although it is absent from much of the DR Congo, where Emin's pouched rat is present) and in altitude from sea level to 2,000 metres (6,600 ft).[1]
The Gambian pouched rat is sometimes kept as pet, but some have escaped from captivity and become an invasive species in Florida.[3] The CDC and FDA in the US now ban the importation of this species because it is blamed for the 2003 outbreakofmonkeypox.
 |
This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this articlebyadding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
Find sources: "Gambian pouched rat" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2019) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
The Gambian pouched rat has very poor eyesight and so depends on its senses of smell and hearing.[4] 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 rodents. It typically weighs between 1 and 1.4 kilograms (2.2 and 3.1 lb).[2] In its native Africa, the pouched rat lives in colonies of up to twenty, usually in forests and thickets, but also commonly in termite mounds. It is omnivorous, feeding on vegetables, insects, crabs, snails and other items, but apparently preferring palm fruits and palm kernels.
Unlike domestic rats, it has cheek pouches like a hamster. These cheek pouches allow it to gather up several kilograms of nuts per night for storage underground. It has been known[by whom?] to stuff its pouches so full of date palm nuts so as to be hardly able to squeeze through the entrance of its burrow. The burrow consists of a long passage with side alleys and several chambers, one for sleeping and the others for storage. The Gambian pouched rat reaches sexual maturity at 5–7 months of age. It has up to four litters every nine months, with up to six offspring in each litter. Males are territorial and tend to be aggressive when they encounter one another.
The Gambian Pouched rat is currently being used in psychology experiments at Cornell University in the USA to investigate its usefulness in the detection of tuberculosis in human sputum samples.[5]
Gambian pouched rats have become an invasive speciesonGrassy Key in the Florida Keys,[6] after a private breeder allowed the animals to escape.[7] This outsized African rodent is also believed to be responsible for the 2003 outbreakofmonkeypox in the United States, after spreading it to prairie dogs which were purchased as pets. In 2003, the United States' CDC and FDA issued an order preventing the importation of the rodents following the first reported outbreak of monkeypox. Around 20 individuals were affected.[8]
ATanzanian social enterprise founded by two Belgians, APOPO, trains Gambian pouched rats to detect land mines and tuberculosis with their highly developed sense of smell. The trained pouched rats are called HeroRATS. The rats are far cheaper to train than mine-detecting dogs; a rat requires $7,300 for nine months of training, whereas a dog costs about $25,000 for training.[citation needed][9][10]
In 2020 a Hero Rat received a PDSA Gold Medal, the animal equivalent of the George Cross, becoming the first rat to receive the award since the charity began honouring animals 77 years ago. 'Magawa' has detected 39 landmines and 28 items of unexploded ordnance, clearing over 1,517,712 square feet [141,000 square metres.] of land, preventing many injuries and deaths, in his 4 year career so far. [11][12]
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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