Cricetomys gambianus

Taxonomy

Assessment Information

Geographic Range

Population

Habitat and Ecology

Threats

Conservation Actions

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Taxonomy [top]

Kingdom	Phylum	Class	Order	Family
ANIMALIA	CHORDATA	MAMMALIA	RODENTIA	NESOMYIDAE

Scientific Name:

Cricetomys gambianus

Species Authority:

Waterhouse, 1840

Common Name/s:

English

–

Gambian Rat, Northern Giant Pouched Rat

Synonym/s:

Cricetomys ansorgei Thomas, 1904

Taxonomic Notes:

This taxon is most likely a species complex (E. van der Straaten pers. comm.). We follow Happold (in press) by including Cricetomys ansorgei in C. gambianus.

Assessment Information [top]

Red List Category & Criteria:

Least Concern ver 3.1

Year Published:

2008

Assessor/s:

van der Straeten, E., Kerbis Peterhans, J., Howell, K. & Oguge, N.

Reviewer/s:

Amori, G. (Small Nonvolant Mammal Red List Authority) & Cox, N. (Global Mammal Assessment Team)

Contributor/s:

Justification:
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, it occurs in a number of protected areas, has a tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

History:

2004

–

Least Concern

Geographic Range [top]

Range Description:	This very widespread species occurs from the coast of West Africa through central Africa to the coast of East Africa, southwards to the north-eastern tip of South Africa and southern Angola. It occurs from sea level to 2,000 m asl.
Countries:	Native: Angola (Angola); Benin; Botswana; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Central African Republic; Chad; Congo; Congo, The Democratic Republic of the; Côte d'Ivoire; Gabon; Gambia; Ghana; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Kenya; Malawi; Mali; Mauritania; Mozambique; Niger; Nigeria; Rwanda; Senegal; South Africa; Sudan; Tanzania, United Republic of; Togo; Uganda; Zambia; Zimbabwe
Range Map:	Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.

Population [top]

Population:	It is an abundant species.
Population Trend:	Stable

Habitat and Ecology [top]

Habitat and Ecology:	The species occurs in various habitats including forest and woodland, as well as farmland, cropland, plantations and rural areas. It is considered to be an adaptable species that is even known to invade sewers.
Systems:	Terrestrial

Threats [top]

Major Threat(s):	There are no major threats to this adaptable species. It is eaten throughout its range but it is such an abundant species that harvesting is not considered to be a major threat. The species is also used in medical research and has been recorded in the European pet trade. It is considered to be a species pest in some areas.

Major Threat(s):

There are no major threats to this adaptable species. It is eaten throughout its range but it is such an abundant species that harvesting is not considered to be a major threat. The species is also used in medical research and has been recorded in the European pet trade. It is considered to be a species pest in some areas.

Conservation Actions [top]

Conservation Actions:	The species occurs in several protected areas. Research into taxonomy is needed.

Conservation Actions:

The species occurs in several protected areas. Research into taxonomy is needed.

Citation:	van der Straeten, E., Kerbis Peterhans, J., Howell, K. & Oguge, N. 2008. Cricetomys gambianus. In: IUCN 2012. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2012.2. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 23 May 2013.
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