Techniques de capture et observations écoéthologiques sur le rat de Gambie, Cricetomys, dans la forêt équatoriale du Zaïre

Abstract

Catching techniques and observations on the ecology and the behaviour of the African giant rat Cricetomys, in the rain forest of Zaire. The problem of the food shortage in the world can be noticeally attenuated by the rational use of small animals like the African giant rat, a very useful rodent for the African people in the tropics. Effective techniques to catch alive giant rats in the forest for their domestication were inclimented. This work has permitted to collect some ecologic behavioural data on the African giant rat in the forest Cricetomys emini. Thus, this species will be better known, as it is already the case for the savannah species Cricetomys gambianus.