Natal multimammate rat, Common African rat, African soft-furred mouse
The Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) is a species of rodent found only in Africa. The Natal multimammate rat has been used as a laboratory animal since 1939 and has great value for researchers.
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OmnivoreAn omnivore is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and ani...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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FossorialA fossorial animal is one adapted to digging which lives primarily but not solely, underground. Some examples are badgers, naked mole-rats, clams, ...
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BurrowingA burrow is a hole or tunnel excavated into the ground by an animal to create a space suitable for habitation, temporary refuge, or as a byproduct ...
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ColonialColonial animals live in large aggregations composed of two or more conspecific individuals in close association with or connected to, one another....
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withNatal multimammate mice have light grey silky fur and yellowish-brown to brown upperparts; their underparts are white to off-white in color. Females of this species have up to 12 pairs of mammary glands.
Natal multimammate mice are found in Africa south of the Sahara. Six different genetic groups can be distinguished in different regions: one in western Africa, one in central Africa, one in southern Africa, and three in eastern Africa. These mice inhabit subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, arable land, pastureland, rural gardens, urban areas, irrigated land, and seasonally flooded agricultural land. They associate closely with humans and are commonly found in and around African villages.
Natal multimammate mice live in colonies. They are excellent climbers and also like burrowing and construct their own burrows. They have excellent senses of hearing and smell.
Natal multimammate mice are omnivores. They eat grass, various seeds, fruit, earthworms, insects, and small invertebrates.
Natal multimmate mice can reproduce anytime throughout the year. After the gestation period of around 23 days, females give birth to a litter of 10-16 pups. Young mice become reproductively mature and start to breed when they are approximately 100 days old.
There are no major threats to this species at present.
According to the IUCN Red List, the Natal multimammate mouse is common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...