NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



SMITH'S RAT 



(Rattus namaquensis lehocla) 



Smith's Rat inhabits the desert-like wastes of 

 Namaqualand and Bechuanaland. It is dark brown 

 on the back, rufus on the sides, and white with a 

 rufus tinge below. Ears covered with fine hairs ; 

 feet white. Head and body from 4 to 5 inches ; 

 tail considerably longer, the tip with a strongly 

 marked black brush. 



THE GOLDEN RAT 



{Rattus namaquensis auricomis) 



The Golden Rat inhabits South Africa from the 

 inland parts of the Cape Province to Rhodesia. It 

 usually makes its home amongst the boulders on 

 the stony hill-sides and on kopjes. This Rat is 

 greyish-yellow' on the back, and the fur is inter- 

 mixed with black hairs ; the under parts, including 

 the feet, are pure white from the bases to the tips 

 of the fur. Length of head and body 4J to 5 

 inches ; tail longer. 



THE DAMARALAND RAT 



{Rattus damarensis) 



The Damaraland Rat, as its name implies, is an 

 inhabitant of Damaraland in South-West Africa. 



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