Cane rats, also known as grasscutters, are large rodents belonging to the genus Thryonomys, and they are the only living members of the family Thryonomyidae. Found across Sub-Saharan Africa, these animals are an interesting paradox: they are considered significant agricultural pests in many regions while simultaneously serving as a valuable protein source for human populations. Their dual role highlights the complex relationship between humans and wildlife in African ecosystems.
Physical Traits and Native Environments
Cane rats are robustly built rodents, measuring between 35 to 61 centimeters in body length, with tails adding another 6.5 to 26 centimeters. They weigh around 3 to 6 kilograms, though some individuals of the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) can reach up to 10 kilograms. Their coarse, bristly fur is generally speckled brown, often with yellowish or gray tones, and they possess a rounded snout and short ears.
There are two recognized species: the greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) and the lesser cane rat (Thryonomys gregorianus). Both species inhabit non-forested areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, but their preferred environments differ. The greater cane rat is found in marshy areas, along riverbanks, and in swamps with dense reed beds or tall, thick grass. The lesser cane rat, in contrast, favors drier, grassy grounds within moist savannas or on rocky hillsides. Both species are agile on land and are also proficient swimmers, utilizing dense vegetation for both shelter and foraging.
Foraging Habits and Agricultural Effects
Cane rats are herbivores, primarily consuming a wide range of grasses and sedges. Their diet also includes various other plant materials such as bark, fallen fruits, and nuts. They possess broad, heavily built, orange-colored incisors, with the upper ones having longitudinal grooves.
These rodents are predominantly nocturnal, creating trails through tall grasses and reeds as they move between their shelters, feeding grounds, and water sources. They also consume cultivated crops, making them significant agricultural pests. They frequently damage sugarcane, maize, rice, cassava, yams, sweet potatoes, groundnuts, pineapples, and millet, leading to considerable economic losses for farmers. The greater cane rat can reach high population densities in plantations, and its habitat is expanding as forests are converted into farmland.
Cane Rats as a Human Food Source
Beyond their status as agricultural pests, cane rats hold significant cultural and economic importance as a protein source in many parts of Africa, often referred to as “bushmeat.” The meat is valued for its tenderness and taste, and it has a higher protein and lower fat content compared to conventional livestock. In some African markets, cane rat meat can even be more expensive than lamb, chicken, beef, or pork. For instance, in 1997, cane rat accounted for 70% of Ghana’s total bushmeat revenue, which amounted to $247 million.
Traditional practices involve capturing wild cane rats for consumption, and efforts are increasingly focused on farming them in captivity, a practice known as grasscutter farming. This domestication aims to provide a stable and sustainable source of animal protein, especially in regions where cattle or hog breeding is challenging due to climate. While cane rats are not the most prolific breeders, their high market demand and relatively low investment requirements make their farming an attractive income-generating activity in West and Central Africa. Farmers are learning about their feeding habits, even peeling manioc tubers for them, as they would in the wild.