THE POUCHED RAT 



have occasionally observed it at Port Elizabeth, 

 where it has its burrows amongst the roots of the 

 acacia trees which were introduced from Australia. 

 The Pouched Rat feeds upon the black, hard seeds 

 of this tree, which fall upon the ground in great pro- 

 fusion. A pound and more of the seed has been 

 found in one of its subterranean storehouses. 



The Pouched Rat is nocturnal by habit, but ven- 

 tures forth on cloudy days, and during the late after- 

 noon in search of food. When surprised a few yards 

 away from its burrow it can be captured with ease, 

 owing to the slowness of its movements. Those 

 which I have surprised in the open, moved off at a 

 rather slow trot, and were overtaken at a walking pace. 

 They often make their burrows in the midst of old 

 tins and lumber, or dry town refuse, and in sod fences. 

 The Pouched Rat is fat and juicy, and is often eaten 

 by the natives. It is not an animal which is likely 

 to increase unduly in numbers owing to its sluggish- 

 ness and consequent inability to escape from its 

 many enemies, such for instance as the Mungoose, 

 Muishond, Genet, Wild Cat, Owl and Snake. The 

 Pouched Rat is helpless against the latter, which pur- 

 sue it to the innermost recesses of its burrows. 

 Amongst snakes, the harmless Mole Snake (Pseu- 

 daspis cana) is its most formidable enemy. This 

 species of rat can easily be recognised in the following 

 ways : 



(i) Body plump; head broad and thick; fur on 

 the back and sides slaty-brown, the hairs being slaty 



m 



