12.

Katue Mole-rat

Fukomys kafuensis

French: Bathyergue du Kafue / German: Kafue-Graumull / Spanish: Rata topo de Kafue

Taxonomy. Cryptomys kafuensis Burda et al, 1999,

“Hot Springs” in Itezhi-Tezhi, Kafue National Park, Southern Province, 1526 m, Zambia.

This species is monotypic.

Distribution. S Zambia, recorded only at the type locality.

Descriptive notes. Head-body 105-129 mm (males) and 96-115 mm (females), tail 14-3-19 mm (males) and 13-5-20 mm (females); weight 84-139 g (males) and 61-77 g (females). The Kafue Mole-rat is medium-sized, with dorsal pelage of dark gray to brown. Head has a prominent white spot. Chromosomal complement is 2n = b8, FN = 82.

Habitat. Grassland and cultivated fields with average annual rainfall of 787 mm.

Food and Feeding. The Kafue Mole-rat is herbivorous and probably eats corms of grasses, tubers, and geophytes.

Breeding. There is no information available for this species.

Activity patterns. There is no information available for this species.

Movements, Home range and Social organization. There is no specific information for this species, but the Kafue Mole-rat no doubt occupies burrow systems.

Status and Conservation. Classified as Vulnerable on The IUCN Red List.

Bibliography. Burda et al. (1999), Cotterill & Maree (2008).