NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



do harm at times, but not sufficiently so to justify 

 us in destroying them. Many species of Rodent 

 or gnawing animals supplement their vegetable diet 

 with insect and other forms of animal food. 



In captivity most of the South African species 

 of Rodent animals eat flesh food freely. Some 

 species, such as the Dormouse, kill and devour one 

 another, and so, too, do the rats and mice. Other 

 species, such as rabbits, frequently eat their young 

 when their domestic arrangements are interfered 

 with. 



There can be no reason to doubt that the 

 destruction of Rodent animals would alter the balance 

 of Nature largely in favour of man. The annihila- 

 tion of rats and mice, for instance, would add con- 

 siderably to man's physical welfare, both in the 

 prevention of diseases, and the saving of his food- 

 stuffs and other commodities, which rats and mice 

 so largely damage and destroy. Rodent animals, as 

 a general rule, breed at frequent intervals, and a 

 large percentage of them produce several progeny 

 at a birth. Those species which fall an easy prey 

 to their enemies are the most prolific. This is a 

 wise provision of Nature, otherwise their species 

 would become extinct. The Rodent tribes of 

 animals are kept in check by carnivorous animals, 

 birds of prey and snakes. 



50 



