NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



There are several species in this genus, all of which 

 inhabit Africa from the Cape, northwards through 

 Central Africa, both east and west to the Upper 

 Nile regions. 



Only one species inhabits South Africa. 



THE CANE RAT 



{Thryonomys swinderenianus) 



The Cane Rat inhabits the fertile eastern parts of 

 South Africa, from the Eastern portion of the Cape 

 Province, up through Natal, Zululand, the Eastern 

 Transvaal, and northwards to Tropical Africa. 



The name Cane Rat has been given to this animal 

 on account of its partiality for sugar-cane plantations, 

 and the rat-like shape of its body. 



The typical rat's only claim to relationship, how- 

 ever, with this animal, is the fact of its being a mem- 

 ber of the great gnawing tribe of animals known as 

 Rodents. 



The Cane Rat inhabits dense undergrowth, thick 

 scrub, long rank grass, reed beds, and sugar-cane 

 plantations. 



Its food consists of roots, bark, tender shoots, the 

 pith of rushes, and various soft plants. 



This animal is exceedingly destructive to crops of 

 almost every kind. Issuing forth during the hours 

 of darkness from its lair, it invades the cultivated 

 fields. I have seen acres of pumpkins and melons 



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