Natal multimammate mouse

Natal multimammate mouse
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae
Genus: Mastomys
Species:
M. natalensis
Binomial name
Mastomys natalensis
Smith, 1834
Synonyms
  • Mastomys hildebrandtii (Peters, 1878)
  • Myomys fumatus (Peters, 1878)

The Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is also known as the Natal multimammate rat, the common African rat, African soft fur rat or the African soft-furred mouse.[1] The Natal multimammate rat is the natural host of the Lassa fever virus.

Range

It is 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.[2]

Mastomys natalensis is commonly known as the “multimammate rat” due to the female’s multiple and prominent mammary glands

Habitat

Its natural habitats include 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.

These rats are closely associated with humans, and are commonly found in and around African villages.

Interactions with humans

The species has been used as a laboratory animal since 1939. It has great value for researchers studying stomach cancer and spontaneous tumors. It is also the most important reservoir of the Lassa fever virus.[3] It is also bred domestically as food for various pet snake species such as ball pythons and boa constrictors. [4] Additionally, it is occasionally kept as a pet. [5]

References

  1. ^ "Multimammate Mice". Archived from the original on 2009-02-07. Retrieved 2009-07-14.
  2. ^ Colangelo, Paolo (2013). "A mitochondrial phylogeographic scenario for the most widespread African rodent, Mastomys natalensis". Biological Journal of the Linnean Society. 108 (4): 901–916. doi:10.1111/bij.12013.
  3. ^ Clive Roots; Domestication - page: 115
  4. ^ D'Avignon, Nicole (February 17, 2022). "Diversifying Snake Diets". bewildnc. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
  5. ^ Murray, Janet (August 31, 2022). "African Soft Fur Rats: Do They Make Good Pets?". AZ Animals. Retrieved 12 April 2025.
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