Hey everyone!
After 2 weeks in Uganda with Tomer Ben-Yehuda, I went to Kenya with Sandra Heldstab. We saw some great species over our 9 days there, but before publishing the trip report I was hoping for identification assistance for some of the rodents seen there. See PDF link below. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
https://www.mammalwatching.com/wp-content/uploads/MW-Kenyan-Rodent-Questions.pdf
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Genetically Welsh, spiritually Australian, currently in New York City. I've also lived and worked in London, Canberra, Paris and Lusaka, and visited over 100 countries. There's more here.
Nice! Looking forward to the report. Here are my thoughts:
1 – how big was it? The tail looks different from the Gerbilliscus you have afterward, so I wonder if it is Gerbillus pusillus (that would be rather smaller).
2 – Arvicanthis, I think nairobae is most likely in Tsavo East
3 – East African Gerbil (Gerbilliscus vicinus), split from G. robustus
4 – Also Arvicanthis, same as 2
5 – just guessing here, but maybe Grammomys sp.? Pelage and very long tail look good. That whole genus is a mess in E Africa so a species ID is tough but I guess part of that “ibeanus” group.
6 – no idea, maybe another Grammomys
7 – yep, Cricetomys ansorgei
Thank you for the reply Venkat! Great suggestions!
1 – I believe it was a bit smaller- definitely shorter tail with a clear tuft.
Alex – I looked at Mammals of Africa and now I’m pretty sure 1 is Taterillus emini. The ears seem too long and the tail (in comparison to HB) too short for Gerbillus. Medium-sized gerbil (smaller than Gerbilliscus) with a long terminal tuft to the tail and dark naked-soled feet, as in the photo, is also basically straight out of the text for Taterillus.