Greater Cane Rat

Thryonomys swinderianus

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mammalia · Rodentia · Thryonomyidae

About

The greater cane rat, also known as the grasscutter, is one of two species of cane rats, a small family of African hystricognath rodents. It lives by reed-beds and riverbanks in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Fun Fact

BBC article on "grasscutter" rearing in Ghana "Rodents of Unusual Size Really Do Exist", October 3, 2019 | Heifer.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Wetlands and grasslands

Diet

Herbivore

Lifespan

4-5 years

Threats

Agricultural Conversion
Overgrazing

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

More Mammals Species

Abbott's Duiker EN Abbott's Gibbon EN Addax CR African Elephant EN African Forest Elephant CR African Wild Ass CR

Browse all Mammals →