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A
Guide to the: Common Vlei Rat - Otomys irroratus
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The Common
Vlei Rat is a blunt nosed rat with long, shaggy hair and rather a short
tail. They are named because of their association with damp vleis (marshes)
and wet grassland on the fringes of streams and swamps, although they
seldom actually take to the water unless retreating from a predator.
Owls, eagles, snakes and small carnivores prey on this species. Occasionally
they take over the burrow of another species, but more usually they
build a saucer-shaped nest above the high water level on the banks of
streams or rivers, or on the edges of swamplands. They feed on grass
by biting through the stem near the base, taking the stem in their mouths,
and then holding each end of the stem with a paw while eating short
pieces. They also eat fresh faeces, which helps to provide bacteria
for digestion. Vlei rats are most active during the day, and are most
often seen either singly or in pairs. Some rural communities regard
the common vlei rat as a delicacy for the roasting pot and lay traps
for it. A litter of one to five young is born at a time, and the new-born
are covered with soft black fur.
More facts about Common Vlei Rats
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