Bush vlei rat facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bush vlei rat |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Myotomys
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| Species: |
unisulcatus
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| Synonyms | |
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Otomys unisulcatus |
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The bush vlei rat (Myotomys unisulcatus), also known as the Karoo bush rat, is a type of rodent. It belongs to the Muridae family, which includes many rats and mice. This interesting rat lives in dry areas of Namibia and South Africa. It has special ways to deal with the hot, dry climate.
The bush vlei rat is a medium-sized rodent. It has dark fur on its back and lighter fur underneath. Its feet are light-colored, and its tail is dark. Sometimes, it even has light fur around its eyes and behind its ears.
Living in the Desert
The Karoo bush rat makes its home in the semi-deserts of South Africa. These deserts can be very extreme. Temperatures can drop below 0°C (32°F) in winter. In summer, they can soar to over 40°C (104°F).
Unlike many other rodents, the Karoo bush rat builds its home above ground. It creates a special shelter from interwoven sticks. These stick lodges are found within desert shrubs. They can be over 1 meter (3 feet) tall. Each bush usually has only one lodge.
These stick homes are very important for the rats. They offer protection from the harsh weather. They also keep the rats safe from predators. The temperature inside these nests is much more stable. In winter, the nest is about 4°C (7°F) warmer than outside. In summer, it's about 14°C (25°F) cooler. This helps the rats stay comfortable.
In the Postberg Nature Reserve, these rats use stems from a plant called Exomis to build their lodges.
Baby Rats!
Bush vlei rats have a strong link between having babies and having enough food. They also need their stick lodges for successful reproduction. These rats grow up very quickly after they are born. They have small litters, usually two to three babies at a time.
The young rats start eating solid food (weaning) when they are only eight days old. Male rats can start having their own babies when they are about six weeks old. Females can start reproducing even earlier, at five weeks of age.
What They Eat
The Karoo bush rat's diet is limited because of its dry home. They are herbivores, meaning they only eat plants. They munch on leaves and juicy stems from about 60 different plant types.
In winter, they mostly eat succulent plants. These plants store water, which is helpful in dry times. In spring, they eat a mix of succulents, other plants, and annual plants. Annual plants grow and die within one year. During summer and fall, they eat an even mix of succulents and annual plants.
To get food, they bite off pieces of plants. Then, they drag these pieces back to the entrance of their stick homes. They eat their gathered food safely inside their refuge.
