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Similar Species The Short-tailed Bandicoot Rat (Nesokia indica)
could be mistaken for these two rats, but its tail is shorter than its
head and body, its ears are much smaller, and its overall body hair
tends to be longer and variable in colour. Its head appears shorter
and blunter. It rarely enters buildings and is associated with rivers,
irrigation canals and other permanent waters. Bandicoot Rats dig
extensive burrow systems and feed on a wide range of plant foods.
They can cause considerable damage to agricultural crops, hence their
alternative name of Pest Rat. They occur from the Lower Nile and
delta, eastwards to Israel, Iraq, Syria and wherever there is suitable
habitat in Iran.
SPINY MICE Acomys spp.
Three species of spiny mouse occur in the region, although some
authorities believe that many more species should be accepted.
They are all easily recognized because of their typical mouse-like
appearance and backs covered with sharp, inflexible spines. Total
length is 11–30 cm; weight is 11–90 g.
Spiny mice live in cracks and crevices in rocks, and eat seeds
and other plant material, as well as invertebrates including snails.
Accumulated food debris is a sure sign that spiny mice are in residence.
In some places they have become commensal with man. They probably
breed throughout the year, and have litter sizes of 1–5 young that are
often born with their eyes open and are weaned after 2 weeks.
The Golden Spiny Mouse (Acomys russatus) occurs from eastern
Egypt to Israel and Palestine, with scattered populations in the
Arabian Peninsula. One other species has a limited range in south-
central Turkey. The one most likely to be encountered is the Egyptian
Spiny Mouse (A. cahirinus), which ranges across much of North Africa
(though probably not in the Sahara proper), and widely in Arabia and
southern Iran.