CANE RAT

either of two species of large African rodents making up the genus Thryonomys of the family Thryonomyidae (order Rodentia). The two species are the great cane rat (T. swinderianus) and the lesser cane rat (T. gregorianus). Cane rats are heavyset and short-tailed, with small ears and coarse, bristly, speckled brown fur. They are 35 to 60 cm (14 to 24 inches) long, excluding the tail. Cane rats are valued as food. They are found over much of sub-Saharan Africa, generally near water, and are such good swimmers that they often head for water when pursued. They shelter in dense vegetation or in burrows and feed on roots, grass, and other plants. They also damage sugarcane. Cane rats tend to be solitary. Females bear litters of two to four young that are well-haired and open-eyed at birth.