Fat Mouse

wildlife of Namibia

Introduction: The fat mouse (Steatomys pratensis) is a very small nocturnal and terrestrial creature that occur singly or in pairs. They hibernate in the colder, wintry months by digging themselves in shallowy, under clumps of grass.

Distribution: The fat mouse can be found in the northern and north-eastern parts of Namibia, on the fringes of rivers and swamps of the Kavango and Caprivi regions.

Diet: Seeds constitute the major item of food, as do ants and termites.

Colouring: Their colouring varies due to their wide distribution, but are generally lighter or darker shades of rusty brown on the upper parts of the body, brownish on the flanks and the under parts and feet are white.

Breeding: Females give birth to between 1 to 9 young, believed to be born during the warm, wetter summer months from about October to May.

Size: Fat mice have a total length of about 13cm, with short tails of 5cm long and a mass of around 26g.

Wildlife Namibia

View more pictures:

Divava Okavango Lodge

An upmarket lodge and spa on the banks of the Kavango River

Hakusembe River Lodge

Small lodge situated close to the town of Rundu

Kaisosi River Lodge

Another lodge close to Rundu, offers good fishing

Kavango River Lodge

Situated on the banks of the river (hence the name) in Rundu

Mahangu Safari Lodge

Situated close to the Mahangu Park in west Caprivi - this is an excellent stop-over between Namibia, Maun (in Botswana) and the Victoria Falls

Ngepi Camp

A rustic river side campsite and lodge offering excellent value for money

Nunda Lodge

Close to Popa Falls and the Mahango Reserve this lodge offers stunning river views

Ndhovu Lodge

Refreshingly, and surprisingly for the area, this lodge does not have the word 'River' as part of its name. Do not be misled it is situated on the banks of the river opposite the Caprivi Game Park (Bwabwata National Park)