Karoo vlei rat

The Karoo vlei rat, also called the bush vlei rat or Karoo bush rat (Myotomys unisulcatus, formerly placed in Otomys), is a species of rodent in the family Muridae. It lives in Namibia and South Africa, where its natural habitat is temperate shrubland and the semi-deserts of South Africa. It is a medium-sized rodent with dark fur on its upper body and lighter fur underneath, light-coloured feet and a dark tail, and it may have pale fur around the eyes and on the backs of the ears. The species builds a refuge of interwoven sticks in desert shrubs, usually one lodge per bush and sometimes over a metre tall, which buffers it against extreme temperatures and predators. It is herbivorous and feeds on foliage and succulent stems from about sixty plant species. Young develop quickly, litters are small, averaging two to three young, and breeding can begin at five to six weeks of age.