Petromus typicus
dassie rat

The rock rat or dassie rat is found in western South Africa, Namibia and southwestern Angola. (Heinemann, 1975)

Petromus typicus are generally found in crevices and rocky cavities of stony deserts. They live in the rocky areas of hills and mountains, where they rest and sun on warm rocks beneath overhangs for protection from flying predators. Mean annual rainfall in areas where Petromus typicus live is usually greater than 25 mm, and their habitat boundaries are often limited by areas of moist woodlands or cold, wet winters. Rock rats seek food on the ground or in low bushes. (Coetzee, 2002; Heinemann, 1975; Nowak, 1997)

Rock rats are small mammals, ranging in size from 100 to 300 grams. They have flat skulls with short ears, long black facial whiskers, yellowish noses, and hypsodont cheekteeth. Their teeth include narrow incisors and total 20 in number, in the pattern 1:1; 0:0; 1:1; 3:3. Their feet and claws are narrow, the forepaws have 4 digits and the hindpaws have 5 digits. Rock dassies' fur grows in clusters of 3-5 hairs, creating a bristly appearance, but it is generally smooth and soft to the touch. Their bodies blend in with the rocks, the dorsal side having a greyish tawny color and the ventral side grey or yellow. They also have incredibly flexible axial skeletons, allowing them to slip through narrow rock cracks for protection and shelter. With their short legs and squat build, these mammals are more adapted to running rather than jumping and locomote by running over the rocks of their habitat. Testes in the males are semi-internal and generally inconspicuous. The nipples of female rock rats are lateral and high on level with the scapula, allowing young to nurse from the sides when hiding in crevices. (Heinemann, 1975; Nowak, 1997; Shortridge, 1934)

The lifespan of Petromus typicus is unknown.

Dassie rats living in rocky areas usually emerge from their small crevices in the morning and late afternoon to forage and bask in the sun. Occasionally they also seek food after sunset, especially when there is a bright moon. They move across their rocky habitats by running and often jumping, spreading out and flattening their bodies in the manner of flying squirrels. Seeking food on the ground or in bushes, they travel alone or in pairs. Researchers who have been able to observe rock rats find that they are a playful species and sometimes frolick among plant stems. When disturbed they quickly dart into the safety of thin crevices and issue a warning call to other members of the species. (Heinemann, 1975; Nowak, 1997)

Home Range

In one study, 15 individuals were recorded in a 6 hectacre area. Rock hyraxes, Procavia capensis, another small herbivorous mammal, compete with rock rats for shelter. In areas where these two species overlap, Petromus typicus are restricted to smaller crevices where Procavia capensis cannot fit. (George and Crowther, 1981; Nowak, 1997)

Little is known about communication among Petromus typicus, although they have been observed to emit a single whistling note as a warning signal to other rock rats when a predator is sighted. (Nowak, 1997)

Petromus typicus are herbivores. They feed on the blossoms of certain desert and steppe plants, as well as on greens, seeds, berries and fruits that they seek on the ground or in bushes. (Heinemann, 1975; Nowak, 1997)

Known predators of dassie rats include numerous birds of prey, although particular species are not mentioned in current literature. To avoid aerial predators, rock rats often forage beneath rocky overhangs, out of view from birds above them. They are also protectively colored, blending in well with their rocky surroundings. (Heinemann, 1975; Nowak, 1997; Shortridge, 1934)

As mentioned, Petromus typicus are prey for aerial predators. They are also seed predators, and possibly seed dispersers. (Shortridge, 1934)

Two parasites of Petromus typicus are mentioned in current literature, Acanthoxyurus shortridgei monnig and Heteroxynema cafer. Both parasites are nematodes. The specific physiological effects of these parasites on rock rats are unknown. (Hugot, 1983)

The economic importance of Petromus typicus is unknown.

The economic importance of Petromus typicus is unknown.

Rock dassies are not currently considered endangered, threatened or vulnerable.