NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



WAHLBERG'S RAT 



{Rattus pcedulcus) 



Wahlberg's Rat has been recorded from the 

 eastern part of the Cape Province. It probably 

 extends from these parts northwards, at least to 

 the Transvaal. 



Wahlberg states the mother Rat carries her young 

 attached to her teats v^hen running or climbing. 

 Colour of the back greyish-brov^n, v^hich is darker 

 in the backbone region, many of the hairs being 

 tipped with black ; sides grey ; under parts white, 

 with just a suspicion of slate colour at the bases ; 

 legs greyish-white. 



Length of head and body about 5|- inches ; tail 

 slightly shorter. 



BRANTS' RAT 



{Rattus colonus) 



Brants' Rat inhabits the Cape Province both east 

 and west, and extends northwards through the 

 Transvaal and Rhodesia. 



This Rat is dark brown on the back, the fur 

 presenting an almost black appearance along the 

 middle of the back, owing to the presence of black 

 hairs, which are longer than the rest of the fur ; 

 sides paler, with a slight rufous tinge ; below, shabby 

 white, the fur being slaty at the bases ; feet whitish ; 

 tip of nose white ; head and body about 4 inches ; 



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