Author: JonRichfield
Vlei rat
Order : Rodentia
Suborder : Sciurognathi
Family : Muridae
Subfamily : Otomyinae
Species : Otomys irroratus
The Vlei rat is listed as Least Concern. Does not qualify for a more at risk category. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category, on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Namings for the vlei rat
A young / baby of a vlei rat is called a 'kitten, nestling, pinkie or pup'. The females are called 'doe' and males 'buck'. A vlei rat group is called a 'colony, horde, pack, plague or swarm'.Vlei rat habitats
Artificial / Terrestrial, Bogs, Marshes, Swamps, Fens, Peatlands, Grassland, Plantations, Subtropical / Tropical High Altitude Grassland and Wetlands (inland)Some facts about the
Vlei rat
Adult weight : 0.147 kg (0.3234 lbs)
Female maturity :82 days
Male maturity : 91 days
Gestation : 40 days
Weaning : 13 days
Litter size : 2
Litters per year : 4
Weight at birth : 0.015 kg (0.033 lbs)
Weight at weaning : 0.03 kg (0.066 lbs)
Body mass : 0.102 kg (0.2244 lbs)
Temperature : 37.85 °C (100.13 °F)
Facts about the vlei rat
Otomys irroratus is nocturnal, terrestrial and solitary-living.
Angoni Vlei Rat The Angoni Vlei Rat is medium to large in size compared to other murids.
Behavior Angoni Vlei Rats are usually solitary but sometimes are found in pairs.
htm Grysbok Trail - Mammals: Vlei Rat Otomys irroratus, A "vlei" is an area of shallow, temporary standing water, thus Vlei Rats are associated with wet areas and stream verge habitats .
Otomys irroratus A "vlei" is an area of shallow, temporary standing water, thus Vlei Rats are associated with wet areas and stream verge habitats, although they will move into grassland.
Vlei Rat or Otomys irroratus is listed on the IUCN Red list (1996) as Lower Risk/Least Concern .
Vlei rats are notorious for having thick fur and also very big ears as far as rodents go and a blunt snout.
Vlei rats are specialist herbivores which, on the coastal plain, are only found in old growth.
Geographic Range The Angoni Vlei Rat is distributed in parts of South Africa (Meester et al). (Full text)
Common Vlei Rat - Otomys irroratus: The Common Vlei Rat is a blunt nosed rat with long, shaggy hair and rather a short tail. (Full text)
The Common Vlei Rat is a blunt nosed rat with long, shaggy hair and rather a short tail. (Full text)
Vlei rats are most active during the day, and are most often seen either singly or in pairs. (Full text)
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