The Gambian pouched rat, also commonly known as the African giant pouched rat, is a species of nocturnal pouched rat of the giant pouched rat genus Cricetomys, in the family Nesomyidae. It is among the largest muroids in the world, growing to about 0.9 m (3 ft) long, including the tail, which makes up half of its total length. It is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal to Kenya and from Angola to Mozambique from sea level to 2,000 m (6,600 ft).
Gambian pouched rat
Skull of a Gambian pouched rat
A Gambian pouched rat killed in the Florida Keys
The giant pouched rats of sub-Saharan Africa are large muroid rodents.
Giant pouched rat
A HeroRAT finds a land mine in a training field in Morogoro, Tanzania
Image: Cricetomys emini 2
Image: Crycetomys Gambianus Apsilia 2