African vlei rats (''Otomys''), also known as groove-toothed rats, live in many areas of
sub-Saharan Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa is, geographically, the area and regions of the continent of Africa that lies south of the Sahara. These include West Africa, East Africa, Central Africa, and Southern Africa. Geopolitically, in addition to the List of sov ...
. Most species live in
marshland
A marsh is a wetland that is dominated by herbaceous rather than woody plant species.Keddy, P.A. 2010. Wetland Ecology: Principles and Conservation (2nd edition). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 497 p Marshes can often be found at ...
s,
grassland
A grassland is an area where the vegetation is dominated by grasses ( Poaceae). However, sedge ( Cyperaceae) and rush ( Juncaceae) can also be found along with variable proportions of legumes, like clover, and other herbs. Grasslands occur na ...
s, and similar habitats
[ and feed on the vegetation of such areas, occasionally supplementing it with roots and seeds. The name " vlei" refers to the South African term for intermittent, seasonal, or perennial bodies of standing water.
''Otomys'' are compact rodents with a tendency to shorter faces and legs than other types of rats. The tails also are shorter than most Muridae, typically between one third and two thirds of the body length.][The Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals, Jonathan Kingdon (2004) Russel Friedman Books ] but generally they have the brown-to-grey agouti coats typical of mice and other small wild rodents. Species living in warm or temperate regions tend to have unusually large ears for murids (e.g. ''Otomys irroratus''), whereas some of the alpine species, such as '' Otomys sloggetti'' have markedly smaller ears. (However, the latter species may no longer belong in the genus ''Otomys''.)
Depending on the species adult ''Otomys'' have a body length between 12 and 22 cm (5–9 inches) and weigh 90 to 260 grams (3–9 oz).
Species
Genus ''Otomys''Angolan vlei rat
The Angolan vlei rat (''Otomys anchietae'') is a species of rodent in the family Muridae.
It is found only in Angola.
Its natural habitats are dry savanna, moist savanna, and subtropical or tropical seasonally wet or flooded lowland grassland
...
, ''Otomys anchietae''
* Angoni vlei rat, ''Otomys angoniensis''
* Barbour's vlei rat, ''Otomys barbouri''
* Burton's vlei rat, ''Otomys burtoni''
*'' Otomys cheesmani''Otomys yaldeni
The Yalden's vlei rat (''Otomys yaldeni'') is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is found in the Bale Mountains, in southwestern Ethiopia.
Conservation
It is listed as " Vulnerable" by the IUCN
The International Union for Conse ...
''
References
Rodent genera
Taxa named by Frédéric Cuvier
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