Are these mixed? Anybody know how these are getting along ? As i cant imagine a pouched rat could be mixed with anything Thanks Stu
Since it was put in this exhibit has generally had Pouched Rats (first Emin's, now Gambian) mixed with one or two other species - either Graphiurus dormice, Neumann's Grass Rats or Acacia Rats. For a long time, the Emin's, Neumann's and Graphiurus were all in there together with no obvious problems. It's actually one of my favourite exhibits at Chester - I'm a sucker for small mammals!
Wow, im going to have to get to Chester again, of all the pouched rats kept privately i only know one that was kept with domestic rats as it was fostered by a female domestic, not sure if its still with the domestics. The reason i asked was i assumed the pouched rat might attack and kill the smaller rodents, good to hear they are getting along well Stu
I tend to spend quite a bit of time in the Okapi House at Chester, I just love rodents! I have asked questions on the mix before, and apparently, both species are doing well and the mix hasnt had any problems.
Chester no longer keep Acacia Rats or African Dormice (despite the latter still having signage at this enclosure). The last of both species left the collection in 2011. It may also be worth noting that the Spotted Grass Mice (Lemniscomys striatus), whilst still being labelled in their enclosure in the Okapi house were actually replaced with Zebra Mice (Lemniscomys barbarus) midway through 2011! The L.striatus have since left the collection.
Are the dormice not in the old scorpion enclosure in the bats's foyer still? They were when I was last there (the other two exhibits being Hissing Cockroaches and Turkish Spiny Mice as normal).