SOUTH AFRICA: JOHANNESBURG: 3 BABY "DASSIE RATS" ARE BORN
Like 1 Dislike 0 Published on 21 Jul 2015
English/Nat
At the Johannesburg snake park in southern Africa, three baby "dassie rats", born last week, are proof of the only breeding programme of its kind in the world.
The rarely seen "dassie rat" is related to neither the dassie nor the rabbit - and it's not a real rate either.
Zookeepers describe its appearance as "squirrel-like".
The Johannesburg Snake Park is the only zoo in southern Africa to exhibit the rare dassie rat.
Last week, three baby dassie rats were born there, as part of the only breeding programme of its kind in the world.
The dassie rat could be described as an animal with an identity crisis.
In spite of its name, it is not a real rat, and is more similar to a squirrel when born.
They are usually about 30 centimetres long, and their tails make up almost half their length.
Dassie rats are usually found in the desert areas of South Africa's northern Cape province or in Namibia.
They are not related to rock rabbits but resemble them in habitat and appearance.
They like to bask in sunny spots and feed on grass and seeds.
The dassies rats are normally found in large colonies which gather in rocky hillside areas.
A representative from the Snake Park in Johannesburg commented on the rarity of sightings of these furry creatures.
SOUNDBITE: (English)
"Your average member of the public would find it very difficult to actually get to see a dassie rat at all because where they do occur is right out in relatively uninhabited areas."
SUPER CAPTION: Dave Morgan, Snake Park Johannesburg
Although they are not an endangered species, the dasssie rats are seldom spotted because of their habitat.
Zoos in Munich and Philadelphia are the only other parks that exhibit them.
You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/d330534a504cfebbfddc7b732219440f
Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork