THE STRIPED RAT 



tail with short bristles, and uniform in colour. The 

 sub-species which occurs in Rhodesia differs from the 

 typical species in being of a dark sooty-black, the 

 yellow grizzling being very sHght. It, is named 

 Dasymys incomtusfuscus. 



Genus : Arvicanthis 



There are no distinct or definite characteristics to 

 justify us in separating these Mice from those grouped 

 under the genus Mus. Their separation is a matter 

 of convenience chiefly. They differ from the true 

 rats in being striped on the back, and by reason of the 

 first and fifth fingers and toes being very short. 



THE STRIPED RAT 



Also known as the Striped Mouse and Striped 

 Field Rat. 



Lemniscomys & Rhabdomys ; or Arvicanthis of Sclater 



The Striped Rat is common in every part of South 

 Africa from west to east, and northwards to Tropical 

 Africa. There are about a dozen local races which 

 are termed sub-species. These vary both in size, 

 colour and markings. For instance, in Rhodesia 

 a local race occurs which is darker than the typical 

 species on the back, the dorsal stripes are clearly 

 defined, and the under parts are tinged with orange- 

 yellow. On the contrary, a local race from 



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