Planning a trip to Kruger National Park? Download opspoor to see recent sightings in the park and log your own.
When to see Greater Cane Rat in Kruger National Park
Greater Cane Rat are most active at night (19:00 to 05:00). Much of their activity falls outside gate hours, so the first drive after the gates open and the last hour before they close give you the best chance.
This is Greater Cane Rat's general behavior. Once enough sightings are logged in Kruger National Park, this page also shows when they're actually seen here.
About the Greater Cane Rat
One of Africa's largest rodents, the greater cane rat is a heavily built, coarse-haired animal found along reed-beds, riverbanks and dense riparian vegetation. It is nocturnal, sheltering by day in burrows or grass nests near water and emerging at night to forage on grasses, reeds and crops. If disturbed it grunts loudly and bolts for the nearest water.
How to identify the Greater Cane Rat
A large, thickset rodent with coarse bristly fur, small rounded ears and a short blunt nose, almost always found close to reed-beds or riverine vegetation. Distinguished from other large rodents by its bulk and near-total dependence on water-associated cover.
Other species to look for in Kruger National Park
Heading to Kruger National Park? opspoor shows where Greater Cane Rat have been logged recently and lets you log your own, even with no signal.