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Natal Multimammate Mouse
Mastomys natalensis
The Natal multimammate mouse (Mastomys natalensis) is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It is also known as the Natal multimammate rat, the common African rat, African soft fur rat or the African soft-furred mouse. The Natal multimammate rat is the natural host of the Lassa fever virus.
From the article Natal multimammate mouse on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), quoted section by section
Range & habitat
It is found in Africa south of the Sahara. Six different genetic groups can be distinguished in different regions: one in western Africa, one in central Africa, one in southern Africa and three in eastern Africa.
Wikipedia: “Range”
What it does
The species has been used as a laboratory animal since 1939. It has great value for researchers studying stomach cancer and spontaneous tumors. It is also the most important reservoir of the Lassa fever virus. It is also bred domestically as food for various pet snake species such as ball pythons and boa constrictors. Additionally, it is occasionally kept as a pet.
Wikipedia: “Interactions with humans”
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Where it lives
Recorded sightings
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geo-referenced records in GBIF, from museums, herbaria and field observers.
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In the stacks
Searching the stacks…
Every page naming Mastomys natalensis in the Biodiversity Heritage Library →
This page is assembled live from iNaturalist, GBIF, Wikipedia, the Source Library and the Internet Archive. It is not yet part of the hand-edited codex. iNaturalist taxon 45326.