Biology and ecology of Thallomys nigricauda (Rodentia, Muridae) in the Thornveld savannah of South Africa

摘要: Abstract The black-tailed tree rat, Thallomys nigricauda, is one of the few arboreal rodents inhabiting southern African savannahs. During three field campaigns in 2001 and 2002 we collected data on biology ecology T. nigricauda Thornveld savannah Molopo Nature Reserve (NW Province, South Africa). lives a solitarily lifestyle Reserve. Diet analyses shows that they are folivorous, specializing leaves Acacia mellifera luederitzii. Male female animals have similar body size (≈80 g). Mean age at weaning was 30 days mean litter this 1.8. Monthly survival rates varied between 0.25 0.86. Density estimated to be 0.5–1 individual ha−1. Overall, our results show basic ecological characteristics rodent fairly other species.