Fat mouse

Introduction: The fat mouse (Steatomys pratensis) is a very small nocturnal and terrestrial creature that occurs singly or in pairs. They hibernate in the colder, wintry months by digging themselves in shallowy, under clumps of grass.

Distribution: The fat mouse can be found in the northern and north-eastern parts of Namibia, on the fringes of rivers and swamps of the Kavango and Caprivi regions.

Diet: Seeds constitute the major item of food, as do ants and termites.

Colouring: Their colouring varies due to their wide distribution, but are generally lighter or darker shades of rusty brown on the upper parts of the body, brownish on the flanks and the under parts and feet are white.

Breeding: Females give birth to between 1 to 9 young, believed to be born during the warm, wetter summer months from about October to May.

Size: Fat mice have a total length of about 13cm, with short tails of 5cm long and a mass of around 26g.