Art for Gorillas

Category: Art of Conservation (AoC) | Date: Sep 05 2009 | By: Julie

Tales and Pictures of the Giant-Pouched Rat by AoC students

Please correct me if I am wrong, but in trying to discern what species of rodentia may be found in and near Volcanoes National Park, the AoC team and I came up with Cricetomys emini (rainforests only) otherwise known as the Giant-pouched rat.

Cricetomys gambianus may also be readily found in the Northern Province of Rwanda.

Going with the former of the two, our lesson with the theme Animals Living in Volcanoes National Park, was quite humorous as our students shared their stories about the giant-pouched rat… the rat they know only too well.

The children exclaim, “The rats climb, dig, and in their homes you will find our money, clothes and radios!”

In a local Ugandan dialect, I am told by Mugabe who works at the AoC House, the rats are called Musomba byuma which translate into they will steal things made of metal.

“They enter our houses at night and nibble on our toes!” the kids continue with their stories.

When told that many people eat the rats, the kids appear astonished. They claim they do not eat them.

More rat news coming up and your comments on rodentia information is most welcome.

Tags: conservation education, Rodentia, rwanda, Volcanoes National Park