Those of us fortunate enough to have DSTV will have seen the amazing Giant African Pouched rats sniffing out live land mines, which were planted in the killing fields of Mozambique during their civil war. These little fellows, weighing in at about a kilogram and indigenous to most of the African continent, are proving perfect candidates for the position of mine detectors. Unlike their canine co-workers, they are light on their feet and subsequently do not detonate mines accidentally, nor do they get bored with the work like most dogs, but sniff tirelessly and thoroughly to get the job done.

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Gill needs Glynne’s advice on getting rid of moles that are causing her two dogs to destroy her garden. Continue Reading

 This Q&A deals with a small dwarf hamster who has developed a skin condition. His owner is concerned that it may have something to do with his diet. Continue Reading

Our wonderful animals have done it again. This time the rat is helping to save millions of lives by detecting Tuberculosis in human saliva, using their remarkable scenting ability. A group of researchers at the Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania have successfully trained African Pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus) to detect and diagnose TB, using techniques first developed to teach the animals to find landmines. Continue Reading

Hi

My children have 2 male pet rats, which we keep in separate cages, as they have become territorial and seem to fight when they get together.

I recently separated them from fighting and the attacking rat turned on me and bit me. Once he had bitten me he turned his back on me when I tried to pick him up to put him back in his cage, and would not let me pick him up. I had to get oven gloves to pick him up and put him back for fear of him biting me again, as the bite was quite deep and I was bleeding quite a bit.

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