habitat_narrative
Terrestrial|Freshwater (=Inland waters)
These species have been recorded from a wide variety of habitats, including forest and savannah, swampland and grasslands, but they rely on intact wetlands in these areas. They have not been recorded from agricultural landscapes or dam areas. They occur specifically in reed beds and among semi-aquatic grasses in wetlands or swampy areas or along rivers and streams, as well as in grassy areas close to water wherein they co-occur with Otomys spp. (Skinner and Chimimba 2005). African Marsh Rats construct complex, intricately woven nests in holes along the banks of rivers and ponds (Pillay 2003). Nests extend into water and might serve as a bolt hole during attack from predators. Sub- and above-surface runways extend from the nest cavities and would serve as travel routes. These rodents are opportunistic omnivores, feeding predominantly on the succulent stems and fruiting heads of semi-aquatic grasses (Skinner and Chimimba 2005), supplementing their diets with insects, especially during reproduction (Pillay 2003). They are good swimmers, adapted to living in very marshy habitats where they build runways and nests in dense ground cover (Monadjem et al. 2015). Based on a captive study, the gestation period is 29 days and litter size varies from two to five (Pillay 2003, Skinner and Chimimba 2005). Maximum reproductive output during one artificial breeding season was 18 young.Young are altricial and nipple-cling, and reproductive output is low compared to other African rodents (Pillay 2003). In the assessment region, they occur at altitudes from sea level to 1,500 m asl in the Drakensberg Mountains (Skinner and Chimimba 2005).
Ecosystem and cultural services: Potential to become flagship wetland species for biodiversity stewardship schemes.
