The heavyweight of Africa’s rodent world—sometimes nicknamed the “grasscutter”—is one of the most important wild mammals for both ecosystems and local communities. Found throughout West and Central Africa, from Guinea and Ghana across to Uganda and Angola, it thrives in wetlands, riverbanks, and farmlands where grasses and crops are abundant. With its bulky build, unusual habits, and reputation as both pest and delicacy, the greater cane rat is one of the most fascinating rodents you’ll ever meet.
In size, the greater cane rat is impressive for a rodent. Their fur is coarse and bristly, usually dark brown or gray with lighter patches along the sides. Unlike many smaller rodents that rely on speed and stealth, cane rats are built for strength and endurance, with sturdy bodies and powerful jaws designed to chew through tough vegetation. Their incisors are chisel-like and sharp, perfect for slicing through reeds, grasses, and especially sugarcane—their favorite snack, and the reason behind their common name.
Greater cane rats are herbivorous grazers, feeding on a variety of plants. In the wild, they prefer swampy areas with reeds and grasses, but they are highly adaptable and often move into agricultural fields, where they feast on maize, cassava, and sugarcane. This makes them notorious as crop raiders and sometimes major pests for farmers. But their resilience has also worked in their favor: rather than being eradicated, they’ve been integrated into local economies as a valuable food source. In many parts of West Africa, grasscutter meat is a delicacy, considered more flavorful and healthier than beef or chicken. This demand has made the greater cane rat one of the most commonly farmed wild animals in the region.
Distribution
Benin
Botswana
Burundi
Cameroon
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Equatorial Guinea
Eswatini
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Kenya
Liberia
Malawi
Mozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
South Africa
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Group
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
