THE OCTODONT TRIBE 



Family: OCTODONTID^E 



THE rodent animals of this family are more or less 

 rat-like in form, and are distinguished from the 

 rodents of other families by having completed collar 

 bones, and the crowns of the molar teeth being 

 marked by folds of enamel on both sides. 



There are usually five toes to each of the fore- and 

 hind-feet, and the teats are situated high up on the 

 body. 



The majority of the species of the Octodont tribe 

 inhabit South and Central America and the West 

 Indies. Two species inhabit South Africa, one on 

 the west and the other on the east. 



Genus: Petromys 



There is only one species in this genus. Tail only 

 slightly shorter than the head and body, covered with 

 rather long hairs; incisor teeth compressed, small 

 and ungrooved. 



THE ROCK RAT OR NOKI 



(Petromys typicus) 



THE Rock Rat is an inhabitant of Namaqualand, 



and has its home in the holes and crevices amongst 



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