Southern african vlei rat
A species of African vlei rats, Also known as Vlei rat Scientific name : Otomys irroratus Genus : African vlei rats
Southern african vlei rat, A species of African vlei rats
Also known as:
Vlei rat
Scientific name: Otomys irroratus
Genus: African vlei rats
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Description People often ask General Info
Photo By JonRichfield , used under CC-BY-SA-3.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The Southern African Vlei Rat is a large-sized rat with dense and continuously replaced shaggy fur. The head is large, the ears small, and the tail short. The dorsal parts are generally gray, brown, or black. The ventral parts are some shade of paler or darker grey. All of its digits are clawed, and the hind claws are longer than the fore claws. The head-and-body length is about 160 mm (6.3 in) and the tail about 100 mm (4 in). Both males and females have a similar mean mass of 143.7g. 
People often ask
General Info
Lifespan
2-3 years
Diet
Southern african vlei rat predominantly feeds on grasses and herbs, exhibiting a high preference for Brachystegia, an African woodland tree species. Complementarily, it occasionally indulges in cereals, rendering it agriculturally significant.
Appearance
Southern african vlei rat is a medium-sized rodent with a slender body, covered in soft, dense fur. It displays an overall gray-brown coloration, slightly lightening underneath. The animal's most distinctive feature is its long, tufted tail, which is darker towards the tip. The males and females are similar in appearance, and there is no significant change in the coat as they age.
Behavior
Southern african vlei rat, or the swamp vole, is notable for its crepuscular and nocturnal habits, being primarily active during dawn and dusk. It shows a social structure primed for solitary living, except during mating seasons. Its diet-centric behaviors involve feeding on stems, leaves, and seeds of grasses in its fen and marsh habitats, with certain adaptations for a semi-aquatic lifestyle. It is non-territorial, preferring to move rather than compete for resources.
Population
Decreasing
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Mammals Order
Gnawing mammals Family
Murids Genus
African vlei rats Species
Southern african vlei rat 
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