African Pouched Rat This article is verified by a vet

The African Pouched Rat

Hamster rats are nocturnal. They are practically blind in daylight.

Embark on a journey with us as we delve into the captivating world of the African Pouched Rat – an intriguing rodent species from Africa often mistaken for a hamster due to its appearance and mannerisms. The zooplus breed profile sheds light on the exotic rodent’s care and varieties.

What does an African Pouched Rat look like?

African Pouched Rats (Cricetomyinae) belong to the African subfamily within the mouse superfamily, Muroidea. To date, they are considered a sister group to tree mice within the Nesomyidae family. They owe their name to their hamster-like large cheek pouche

Their eyes are small, while their heads are large. The legs are short yet robust, mirroring their stout build. The hairless tail also bears resemblance to rats – this can be short (in Saccostomus spp.) or long (in Beamys hindei and Cricetomys spp.).

What types of African Pouched Rats are there?

Five species of African Pouched Rat are divided across three different genera. Presently, these five species are acknowledged:

  • One Long-tailed pouched rat (Beamys hindei)
  • Two Short-tailed pouched rats: the Cape pouched rat (Saccostomus campestris) and Saccostomus mearnsi
  • Two Giant pouched rats: the Gambian giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus) and the Emin giant pouched rat (Cricetomys emini)

What colours does the African Pouched Rat come in?

Fur colour can vary between species. Whereas Gambian giant pouched rats are typically grey-brown, the Emin giant pouched rats lean more towards red to brown with a starkly contrasting white belly, distinctly different from the rest of their fur.

How big do African Pouched Rats get?

Depending on the species, African Pouched Rats can grow to a considerable size of up to 45 centimetres in length. Weighing as much as two kilograms, they are significantly larger than your ordinary hamsters or rats.

African Pouched Rat © Farinoza / stock.adobe.com
Although they both have cheek pouches, hamsters and hamster rats are very different.

Behaviour: Are African Pouched Rats tame?

African Pouched Rats are not for cuddling, which makes them less than optimal pets for children. They are solitary by nature and exceptionally tough to tame.

Furthermore, they are nocturnal and nearly blind in daylight. Consequently, they might get rather noisy at night – not an ideal choice for those sensitive to sound.

However, if you’re a night owl yourself and relish observing these intelligent creatures, you’ll find these rodents quite entertaining.

An impressive sense of smell

Poor eyesight notwithstanding, the African Pouched Rat boasts another superpower: its nose.

Their sense of smell is so finely honed that African Pouched Rats can detect when a diabetic’s blood sugar levels drop. People even employ these rats successfully to locate mines or differentiate between positive and negative tuberculosis samples.

How do you keep African Pouched Rats in a species-appropriate way?

Unlike rats, African Pouched Rats are loners. Cohabitation in one enclosure can become highly risky, particularly among same-sex partners.

To prevent breeding, a communal living setup is only feasible provided there’s ample space for the animals to avoid each other and, if possible, the rats are neutered.

How big should the cage be?

African Pouched Rats are sprightly creatures that traverse vast distances in the wild in search of food. Standard rodent enclosures are generally ill-suited for African Pouched Rats as they tend to offer insufficient space and opportunities for activity.

A better option is to construct a spacious cage that allows the rodent to roam across various levels. The following minimal dimensions are recommended: 2.5 x 2 x 2 metres.

Given their particularly strong teeth, even aluminium bars pose no challenge to them. Therefore, when constructing a cage, ensure you use bite-resistant materials that are safe for your rodents.

Note: Prior to procurement, check local veterinary regulations in your area regarding the keeping of African Pouched Rats.

What climate does the African Pouched Rat require?

The cage of your African Pouched Rat should be situated in a room with a temperature of 22 to 26 degrees Celsius. Ideal humidity levels are between 60 and 70 percent. Since African Pouched Rats favour warmer climes, also shield the cage from draughts.

Caution: If humidity drops below the advised levels, the tail tip may wither.

What facilities are necessary?

To keep the animals in a species-appropriate way, it’s vital to provide ample opportunities for movement. Natural branches and wooden ramps at varying heights are perfect for climbing.

Suitable nesting materials include hay, straw, and newspaper. To satisfy their desire for occupation, you can also hide food for your pets.

As they are also adept swimmers, you could incorporate a small pool with varying depths and easy access into the cage. However, since they often use the pool as a toilet, it’s essential to change the water daily.

Is free-roaming possible?

Never leave your exotic pets unattended or in a room with dangerous objects (e.g., electrical appliances, cables). The rodents have a penchant for nibbling on all materials, which could result in significant damage or self-injury.

Diet: What does the African Pouched Rat eat?

The natural diet of African Pouched Rats mainly comprises plant sources such as fruits (e.g., apple, banana), vegetables (e.g., carrots), seeds, and roots. You can offer a portion of this via rat or parrot food.

However, African Pouched Rats occasionally also consume animal-based food like eggs or insects (e.g., crickets, mealworms). This should not exceed 15 percent of their diet.

Note: Additionally, do not forget that your African Pouched Rat must always have access to fresh drinking water.

The right care

Alongside regular cleaning of the cage, there are additional points to consider in African Pouched Rat care.

It’s wise to have a vet periodically check and trim your pet’s teeth and claws.

Since they’re less tame than fancy rats, it’s better not to attempt this care routine alone, to avoid a painful bite.

Health: Common diseases

African Pouched Rats are prone to respiratory diseases, especially those exacerbated by high ammonia levels in the air. Since ammonia is released through urine, it’s important to clean their enclosure regularly.

Additionally, African Pouched Rats in human care have a higher risk of becoming overweight.

How long do African Pouched Rats live?

The average lifespan of African Pouched Rats ranges from four to eight years. The manner of care and feeding plays a crucial role, so it’s vital to inform yourself about the rodents’ needs before purchasing.

Seek a veterinarian promptly if your African Pouched Rat shows signs of illness, such as loss of appetite.

Origins: Where do African Pouched Rats come from?

The natural habitat of African Pouched Rats spans the African region south of the Sahara. Depending on the species, these small mammals inhabit varied landscapes, including rainforests, bushlands, and dry savannas.

Are African Pouched Rats endangered?

According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, all five African Pouched Rat species are currently (as of 11/2023) classified as “least concern” (not endangered).

Where can I buy an African Pouched Rat?

Before deciding on acquiring an African Pouched Rat, remember that depending on your location, you may need a permit from the relevant veterinary office.

Only after securing this and satisfying all prerequisites for species-appropriate care should you proceed with obtaining the animal.

As they are quite exotic, you’re best off contacting official associations or breeders specializing in these rodents.

How much does an African Pouched Rat cost?

You should budget at least 200 Euros for an African Pouched Rat. Additional ongoing costs for food, heating, and veterinary care could total 100 Euros or more each month.

Snapshot of the African Pouched Rat

Name:African Pouched Rats (Cricetomyinae)
Size:Depending on species: 24 – 45 cm
Weight:Depending on species and sex: about 1.4kg (females), about 2.5kg (males)
Lifespan:4 to 8 years
Sleep-wake cycle:Nocturnal
Feeding:Mainly plant-based (fruits, seeds, roots), occasionally eggs and insects
Origin:Africa
Keeping:Solo (group housing only possible if numerous instructions are followed)
Difficulty level:Medium to difficult

Here are some purchase proposals curated by the zooplus editorial team

The products featured have been carefully selected by our editorial staff and are available at the zooplus online pet shop. The selection does not constitute advertising for the mentioned brands.


Franziska G., Veterinarian
Profilbild von Tierärztin Franziska Gütgeman mit Hund

At the Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen I was extensively trained as a veterinarian and was able to gain experience in various fields such as small animal, large animal and exotic animal medicine as well as pharmacology, pathology and food hygiene. Since then, I have been working not only as a veterinary author, but also on my scientifically driven dissertation. My goal is to better protect animals from pathogenic bacterial organisms in the future. Besides my veterinary knowledge, I also share my own experiences as a happy dog owner and can thus understand and enlighten fears and problems as well as other important questions about animal health.


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