| Abstrakt: |
African giant rats are recognized as one of the important small mammal species in Nigeria. They are highly priced and as an essential food item that is consumed as bush meat and a cheaper alternative protein source for the common man, especially in rural settings. As delicious as this particular species is there are some associated taboos with this animal because of their strange behaviour. This study therefore evaluates some behavioral attitudes associated with captive African giant rats. Thirty-six adult African giant rats (18 males and 18 females) were captured from the wild and their behaviour was studied for 8 - 10 weeks. They were monitored for feeding, sleeping, cannibalism, and reproductive behaviour. Feeding behaviour indicated that the animals manifested postures such as sitting on their haunches, standing on their legs, gnawing and acting coprophagy while eating. Sleeping attitudes revealed behaviour such as; assuming the shape of the letter O, maintaining a curve-shaped position, and lying on their back while sleeping. Commonly cannibalism behaviour observed includes; adult male-female cannibalism, mother-pup's cannibalism, and hunger-induced cannibalism. The animals also showed some peculiar reproductive behavior; these include; courtship, mating, and nursing attitudes. The study has been able to elucidate the behavioural characteristics of African giant rats and concludes that some behaviours and attitudes of captive African giant rats were strange and unique indeed. The study recommends that these characteristics should be factored into any plan for the domestication of African giant rats, and further studies to evaluate reasons for some of these behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
