Main Article Content

The bush Karoo rat Otomys unisulcatus on the Cape West coast


H.C. Vermeulen
J.A.J. Nel

Abstract

In the Postberg Nature Reserve, coastal Western Cape Province, bush Karoo rats Otomys unisulcatus build dome-shaped stick shelters or lodges, with a mean height of 1,45 m and a mean volume of 0,61 m3, usually with Exomis microphylla var. axyrioides as a supporting shrub. Sticks and twigs utilized are from 10 to 517 mm long, 3,5 mm thick, and with a mean length up to 117 mm per lodge, interwoven to form intricate structures. These are criss-crossed with passages and contain two nests and two latrines each. More than 13 000 sticks can be used to build a lodge; this involves travelling total distances of up to 16,5 km to gather building material. A network of paths interconnects lodges and leads to shrubs providing sticks and food. Most lodges are inhabited by one or two individuals. The species is diurnal and crepuscular.

Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2224-073X
print ISSN: 1562-7020