NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



the cage must be warm, and earth provided for the 

 creature to amuse and exercise itself in, by burrowing. 



Blesmols when first placed together in captivity 

 instantly fight, and invariably damage each other 

 so severely that both succumb to the wounds in- 

 flicted by the large front teeth. Often the victor 

 devours portions of the victim. Their powers of 

 vision are very limited for, when placed together, 

 Blesmols see each other but dimly, and apparently 

 each is aware of the proximity of the other chiefly 

 by the sense of smell. 



These animals make interesting pets, and in course 

 of time become tame ; but it is inadvisable to attempt 

 to handle them for, without warning, they often 

 become excited and bite fiercely. When desirous 

 of keeping several in the same cage, it is necessary 

 to isolate the newcomer behind a wire mesh partition 

 until the others become familiar with it. If the 

 partition be then withdrawn they will not fight. 



The curved incisor teeth of these animals, as well 

 as those of other kinds or species of rodents, are 

 constantly growing, but are kept from over-develop- 

 ment by daily use. The front surfaces of the 

 teeth are covered with hard enamel, but the under 

 part' of each tooth is of soft dentine. The result 

 is that when the teeth are used for gnawing, the 

 comparatively soft under part wears away at and 

 near the tip, leaving the enamel, which provides a 

 sharp cutting edge. In this way the incisor teeth 

 are kept sharp and effective. 

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