By Elizabeth Gill
Geographic Range
The Angoni Vlei Rat is distributed in parts of South Africa (Meester et al).
Habitat
Angoni Vlei Rat is found mainly in coastal or montane areas. Usually populations exist in wetter habitats but have been observed in desert areas (Bronner and Meester, 1988).
Terrestrial Biomes:
desert or dune 
; savanna or grassland ; forest .
Physical Description
(0.88 to 7.57 oz; avg. 4.22 oz)
The Angoni Vlei Rat is medium to large in size compared to other murids. Long, soft reddish brown to gray fur covers this small mammal. The throat is often a buffy color (Bronner and Meester, 1988).
Some key physical features:
endothermic ; bilateral symmetry .
Reproduction
There is not enough data available concerning the reproductive biology of the Angoni Vlei Rat. Breeding has been observed to start at around 4 months of age. Females have up to 3 litters each year and there are estimates of 1-5 young/litter. Breeding coincides with good availability. Young are precocial, which means they are born in a relatively advanced condition of development (Bronner and Meester, 1988).
Key reproductive features:
gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual .
Behavior
Angoni Vlei Rats are usually solitary but sometimes are found in pairs. Angoni Vlei Rats are mainly diurnal (Bronner and Meester, 1988).
Key behaviors:
motile .
Food Habits
Angoni Vlei Rats are hervivores that eat mainly grasses, reeds, roots, and occasionally bark (Bronner and Meester, 1988).
Other Comments
Angoni Vlei Rats have large ears. The name Otomys is derived from the Greek word "otos" which means ear and "mys" which means mouse (Bronner and Meester).
Contributors
Elizabeth Gill (author), University of Michigan.
Phil Myers (editor), Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan.
