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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

Rodents in Ethiopia (1 Viewer)

Steve Babbs

Well-known member
Looking at trip reports, the first one of these from the Bale mountains is likely to be Blick's grassrat, the second - from the Simien mountains Chenek camp - may well be Abyssinian grass rat. But I'm going on what people report rather than a real knowledge of field characteristics. If anyone with a better knowledge could confirm or correct the identification I'd be grateful.

The third is from Tim and Kim Village, Gorgora and I have no idea.

Any help much appreciated.
 

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Looking at trip reports, the first one of these from the Bale mountains is likely to be Blick's grassrat, the second - from the Simien mountains Chenek camp - may well be Abyssinian grass rat. But I'm going on what people report rather than a real knowledge of field characteristics. If anyone with a better knowledge could confirm or correct the identification I'd be grateful.

The third is from Tim and Kim Village, Gorgora and I have no idea.

Any help much appreciated.

I hasten to state I'm not even an amateur at African rodents but if the third one hadn't picked up laterite staining round its muzzle, breast and vent I have a feeling we'd be talking Rattus norvegicus.

John
 
I hasten to state I'm not even an amateur at African rodents but if the third one hadn't picked up laterite staining round its muzzle, breast and vent I have a feeling we'd be talking Rattus norvegicus.

John

The third one looks to be Arvicanthis niloticus to me, certainly not a Rattus but an Arvicanthis species. ID for the first 2 species seems correct.
 
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