How to Legally Own a Pet Giant Pouched Rat

Giant pouched rats, so named because of their ability to store large amounts of food in their cheeks, are native to West Africa. These rats are much larger than their urban brethren, reaching up to 28 inches in length from nose to tail and weighing up to 9 lbs. While giant pouched rates are relatively docile and make good pets, it may be difficult to own one legally, since the species can carry diseases and destroy crops.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Exotic animal permit

1. Contact your state's wildlife service or local animal-control authority to determine whether you can legally own a giant pouched rat where you live. Several shipments of African giant pouched rats have carried potentially dangerous diseases, such as monkey pox, causing port authorities to quarantine and destroy the animals. In addition, giant pouched rats are a threat to crops if they escape, and they may be prohibited in most states.
2. Control breeding and propagation of the species, which can be quite rapid. Female giant pouched rats can have litters of six babies every other month, so you must determine the wisdom of legally owning more than one pet giant pouched rat at a time. In addition, male giant pouched rats must be separated, since they are very territorial and often fight to the death.
3. Think about how your neighbors will react when you legally own pet giant pouched rats. While the rats are generally clean, docile and intelligent, they can cause a lot of damage to a residential area if they are allowed to escape. Also, the rats can be extremely aggressive toward one another, and the sight of bloody rats fighting to the death may be quite disturbing.
4. Build an appropriate habitat for your giant pouched rat. Ordinary rat cages generally will not suffice, due to the size and activity of the animal. A proper cage will have a solid floor that can be easily cleaned, since the smell of urine can be quite strong.
5. Prepare to take care of your pet giant pouched rat for many years. While a normal rat has a lifespan of two or three years, a giant pouched rat can live for eight to 10 years with proper care and hygiene.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn what makes these rats special. For example, giant pouched rats have an extremely sensitive sense of smell and are often used to sniff out land mines in Africa. They are more effective than dogs in this regard, since they are light enough to avoid detonating the mines if they step on one.