Forest Giant Pouched Rat

About the Forest Giant Pouched Rat

Emin's pouched rat (Cricetomys emini), also known as the African pouched rat, is a large rat of the muroid superfamily. It is related to Cricetomys gambianus, the Gambian pouched rat. Both species belong to Cricetomys, the genus of the giant pouched rats.

These animals were introduced into the exotic pet trade, but on June 11, 2003, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prohibited the importation of all African rodents into the United States in response to an outbreak of monkeypox, and FDA banned the sale, distribution, transport, or release into the environment of six African rodent species. This order was subsequently superseded by an interim final rule on November 3, 2003 (42 CFR § 71.56 and 42 CFR § 1240.63). They are easily tamed.

They are native to Africa and are found along the edges of forests and along the plains. Emin's pouched rats are actually better climbers than their better known Gambian pouched rat cousins. These pouched rats are named for having cheek pouches much like a hamster.

Emin's pouched rat and the Gambian pouched rat have a few very noticeable physical differences: Emin's... Wikipedia →