THE FAT MOUSE 



longer. This species possesses the black dorsal stripe, 

 and may readily be distinguished from the Chestnut 

 Tree Mouse by its ashy-grey fur, and by its having 

 only three claws to both fore- and hind-feet. 



There are four other species of Tree Mice in- 

 habiting South Africa, viz. : 



Dendromys jamesoni. 

 nigrifrons. 

 ,, longicaudatus. 

 ayresi. 



Genus : Steatomys 



The Mice which are grouped under this genus 

 inhabit Africa, one species occurring south of the 

 Zambesi. 



These Mice may be distinguished from those of 

 any other genera by their plump appearance, which 

 is due to a layer of fat all over the body. Another 

 characteristic is their short tails. 



THE FAT MOUSE 



(Steatomys pratensis) 



Shana of the Mashonas. 



THE Fat Mouse is so called because of its plump, 

 well-fed appearance, due to a layer of fat which is 

 stored up all over the body as a reserve supply of 



