Myotomys (Otomys) unisulcatus
The Bush Karoo Rat occurs in the drier parts of South Africa’s south-west (Northern, Western and Eastern Cape) and marginally into extreme southern Namibia. Their preferred habitat is areas with good vegetation coverage, such as that found along drainage lines, in the arid Karoo scrublands and semi-desert of the west coast. They feed on the seeds, berries, flowers, leaves and bulbs of a wide variety of plants (up to 60 species have been recorded for some populations), with succulents providing their required water intake. Including their relatively short tails, Bush Karoo Rats grow to an average of 24cm in length and weigh around 125g.
Bush Karoo Rats are mainly diurnal in nature, living in family groups numbering up to 11 rats that share a “lodge” – a large structure built of sticks, twigs, grass, kelp, bones, fur, and even shells and human litter, usually in or under the protection of a thorny bush. From the lodge a network of paths used to gather food radiate into the surrounding vegetation, with family members often bringing food back to store at the lodge. They will also readily climb into trees and bushes to reach food and to sun themselves. Bush Karoo Rats breed throughout the year, with litters of 1-5 young born after a 38 day gestation. They have a short life expectancy of less than 2 years in the wild.
The IUCN lists the Bush Karoo Rat as being of least concern, describing it as abundant in suitable habitat.
DeWetsWild 
Mens kan nou amper weel lief raak vir rot se kind! Hulle moet eintlik ander ‘n ander naam kry… miskie Karoo Kort Stert… klonk beter as ROT! 😉
Jy is heeltemal reg, AJ – hierdie is te oulik om rotte te wees!
I love this little one
They’re very cute, aren’t they!?
It’s cute and I like that it only eats plants!
They are very cute, and so entertaining!
Aaag kyk hoe oulik!
Uit-en-uit, Tina!
This one looks very much like a gerbil wouldn’t you say? Cute as anything!
Especially when they have their cheeks stuffed to the brim with food to take back to the lodge!
they look so tiny and yet at 24cm, it’s actually quite large!
Indeed Joanne, they are of the larger indigenous rodents we have here in South Africa
Wow – this is one of those instances where a photo is deceiving. I would have guessed it was small like one of our mice.
So ‘n egte Suid-Afrikaanse natuurlike rot is darem pragtig! Meeste mense se assosiasie met rotte en muise, is die aaklige indringers van Europa, wat hier aangekom het met skepe. Pragtige foto’s en inligting, Dries!
Ons stem heelhartig saam, Dina. Soos met tuinplante is dit ook met rotte – inheems bly bo!
I don’t like rats, but this is a cute little creature!
These rats you won’t find running around in sewers!
Oh, good!
With a lifespan that short, something else in the wild eats them? just wondering who their natural predators are?
Most small rodents have a very short lifespan, P J B – they have such fast metabolisms and heavy breeding cycles, but they also probably feature on the menu of most of the predators that share their range; from mongooses, raptors and snakes up to large wild cats and canids.
Lovely photos of a very sweet but cheeky looking little rodent!
The one’s we saw in many of the Cape parks when we visited in December were most confiding!
So cute, but a short life for him in this big world.
They live a very busy life, and probably feature in most predator’s menus…
How gorgeous.
I also think so!
A cute little critter – even if it is a rat. 🙂
I don’t mind our indigenous rats (and other rodents) nearly as much as I do the invading black and brown rats and house mice!
Interesting little guys. I bet there are folks who make pets of them.
They do become quite tame around humans, even in wild populations living in close proximity to human dwellings (such as in rest camps in game parks in their range), but it would be a real pity if some people decide to cage them.
Shame for such a short life expectancy. They seem to be a rather self-sufficient little critters.
They really live a fast paced life, poor things.