134 THE MAMMALS OF SOMALILAND 



Distribution. — Found probably throughout the Somali 

 country, but undoubtedly a very rare animal. I have seen it at 

 Sheikh and near Burao, but never lower than 4,000 ft. One 

 specimen was killed by Somalis at Upper Sheikh and one caught 

 alive, while an adult female and young male were caught near 

 Burao and were kept by me in captivity for some months, only to 

 escape by eating their way out of a substantial deal box on board 

 the steamer on their way to the Zoological Gardens. To keep 

 them in captivity it is necessary to have a zinc-lined case as a cage. 

 The first specimen was obtained by Dr. Donaldson Smith in 

 Western Somaliland. 



Habits. — This fine rat is nocturnal in its habits, leaving its 

 burrow or hole among the rocks about sundown in search of food, 

 which is almost entirely vegetable. In captivity it will eat meat, 

 bread and maize, but prefers lettuce, beetroot and other vegetables. 

 It requires little or no water. Its mode of progression is very 

 similar to that of a hedgehog, and it makes a noise, when irritated, 

 not unlike that animal. The noise is peculiar, — one or two hisses 

 or snorts followed by a kind of growl. It is easy to tame. Owing 

 to the slowness with which it moves along it is easy to capture. 

 It usually proceeds with its crest erect, presumably to frighten 

 jackals and other enemies. It can do little harm save with its 

 teeth, its claws being of little use except for scraping in the soil for 

 roots and bulbs. When eating it seizes its food between its two 

 forefeet while it sits on its haunches, nibbling it after the manner 

 of squirrels. Its custom of proceeding with crest erect is in all 

 probability a protective measure to frighten its enemies, which 

 might mistake it very easily for a young porcupine. 



