Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse, 1840

Sensory Traits

The Gambian pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse, 1840) has very poor eyesight, so it relies heavily on its senses of smell and hearing.

Etymology

Its common name comes from the large, hamster-like pouches located in its cheeks.

Taxonomy

It is not considered a true rat, and instead belongs to an African branch of muroid rodents.

Adult Weight

Adults typically weigh between 1.0 and 1.4 kg, which is equal to 2.2 and 3.1 lb.

Colony Structure

In its native Africa, this species lives in colonies of up to 20 individuals.

Habitat

Colonies are most often found in forests and thickets, but they also commonly occupy termite mounds.

Diet

The Gambian pouched rat is omnivorous; it feeds on vegetables, insects, crabs, snails, and a range of other items, but appears to prefer palm fruits and palm kernels.

Cheek Pouch Function

Its characteristic cheek pouches let it gather several kilograms of nuts each night to store underground.

Cheek Pouch Capacity Record

There are recorded cases of Gambian pouched rats stuffing their cheek pouches so full of date palm nuts that they can barely squeeze through the entrance of their burrow.

Burrow Structure

A Gambian pouched rat burrow is made of a long main passage with smaller side branches and multiple separate chambers: one chamber is used for sleeping, and the remaining chambers are used for food storage.

Sexual Maturity

Gambian pouched rats reach sexual maturity between 5 and 7 months of age.

Reproduction

They can produce up to four litters every nine months, and each litter can have as many as six offspring.

Male Territoriality

Males of the species are territorial, and typically act aggressively when they encounter other males.