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{{Short description|Species of rodent}}
{{speciesbox
| name = Lesser cane rat
| image =
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref=<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Cassola, F. |date=2017 |title=''Thryonomys gregorianus'' |volume=2017 |page=e.T21846A22277877 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-2.RLTS.T21846A22277877.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
| genus = Thryonomys
| species = gregorianus
| authority = ([[Oldfield Thomas|Thomas]], 1894)
| range_map = Thryonomys gregorianus range map.png
| synonyms =
}}

The '''lesser cane rat''' ('''''Thryonomys gregorianus''''') is a species of [[rodent]] in the family [[Thryonomyidae]].<ref name = MSW3>{{MSW3 Hystricognathi | id = 13400087 | page = 1545}}</ref> It is found in [[Cameroon]], [[Chad]], [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]], [[Ethiopia]], [[Kenya]], [[Malawi]], [[South Sudan]], [[Tanzania]], [[Uganda]], [[Zambia]], [[Zimbabwe]], and possibly [[Mozambique]]. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry [[shrubland]], subtropical or tropical dry lowland [[grassland]], and shrub-dominated [[wetland]]s.

==Description==
The lesser cane rat grows to a length of about {{convert|38|cm}}, about one quarter of which is the tail. Males are usually larger than females. The average weight of the lesser cane rat is {{convert|1.4|to|2.4|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in males and {{convert|1.8|to|1.9|kg|lb|abbr=on}} in females and they are a little less than half the size of the [[greater cane rat]].<ref>Van der Merwe, M. (2007). ''Discriminating between Thryonomys swinderianus and Thryonomys gregorianus''. African Zoology, 42(2), 165-171.</ref> However, some males are as large as {{convert|3.5|to|5|kg|lb|abbr=on}} about the size of an average greater cane rat.<ref>Igbowe, C. O. (2010). ''Gross and microscopic anatomy of thyroid gland of the wild African grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck) in Southeast Nigeria''. Eur. J. Anat, 14(1), 5-10.</ref> The hair is coarse and rather bristle-like and lies flat against the body. The ears are small and almost hidden in the fur. The feet are long with three functioning toes, bare palms and strong claws. The back and sides of the animal are yellowish- or greyish-brown and the underparts greyish-white. The tail has a few bristles and scales and is brown above and white below.<ref name=ADW>{{cite web |url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/Thryonomys_gregorianus/ |title=''Thryonomys gregorianus'': lesser cane rat |author=Kiss, Brian |year=2012 |work=Animal Diversity Web |publisher=University of Michigan |access-date=2013-08-30}}</ref>

Its [[karyotype]] has [[Diploid|2n]] = 40 and [[Fundamental number|FN]] = 80.<ref name = MSW3/>

==Distribution and habitat==
The lesser cane rat is native to Central and East Africa and the more northerly parts of southern Africa. The main parts of its range are southern Sudan, the whole of Uganda, western Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe but it also occurs sporadically in some of the neighbouring countries. It is found in open grassy countryside, the fringes of marshland and in woodland and it has been recorded at an altitude of {{convert|2600|m}} above sea level in the [[Rwenzori Mountains]].<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" /> It occupies much the same range as the [[greater cane rat]] (''Thryonomys swinderianus'') but that species is more [[aquatic animal|aquatic]] and frequents river banks and lakesides.<ref name=ADW/>

==Behaviour==
The lesser cane rat is nocturnal and mainly moves around alone though it may live in a small family group. Though its eyesight is poor, it has a keen sense of hearing and individuals communicate with each other using grunts and whistles, and they may stamp their feet to warn others of danger. It is [[Herbivore|herbivorous]] and feeds on grasses, seeds, grain, fruit and other plant material. An important food item is often [[Pennisetum purpureum|elephant grass]] (''Pennisetum purpureum'') but this rat is opportunistic and will also feed on crops such as [[peanut]], [[maize]], [[sweet potato]], [[cassava]] and [[pumpkin]].<ref name=ADW/>

The breeding season is in the rainy season and there may be two litters in the year. The [[gestation]] period is about three months and the litter size is typically two or three young. These are [[precocial]] and are able to move around shortly after birth. They hide in nests in the grass where the female visits them at intervals to allow them to suckle. They become sexually mature at about a year and probably live three years.<ref name=ADW/>

==Status==
The lesser cane rat is assessed as being of "[[Least Concern]]" by the [[IUCN]] in its [[Red List of Threatened Species]]. Although the precise range of the lesser cane rat and its population trend are not known, it is a fairly common species and faces no specific threats. It is eaten as [[bushmeat]] in some parts of its range.<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021" />

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q289296}}

[[Category:Thryonomys]]
[[Category:Mammals described in 1894]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Oldfield Thomas]]
[[Category:Taxonomy articles created by Polbot]]

Lesser cane rat - Revision history

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