Premiers essais d'élevage du rat-taupe (Cryptomys mechowi, Rongeur: Bathyergidae) à Kinshasa, République démocratique du Congo

Raising of the Mole-rat (Cryptomys mechowi, Rodent: Bathyergidae) at Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo. The mole-rat, Cryptomys mechowi, has been captured in the grassy savanna of the tray of the Bateke to be submitted to raising in captivity at the laboratory of the Biology Department in the University of Kinshasa. This small wild underground mammal, very appreciated by the population, is victim of overexploitation for its delicious meat. The raising of this rodent could reconcile the safeguard of the species on the one hand and the domestic protein source for the population of the tray of the Bateke on the other hand. On the whole, 21 animals of which 8 couples and 5 youngs have been captured on the tray of the Bateke. Out of these 8 couples, 5 died in the first week of raising in the laboratory, 3 couples and all 5 kids survived until the end of the experience. The 3 surviving couples gave birth each during 1 year of raising test to litters with better size from 1 to 3 kids for the 3 couples. This numeric growth rate demonstrates the possibility of raising this small underground rodent in captivity. The feeding in the laboratory is based on tubers easily obtainable through all markets of the capital. It is the case for cassavas and sweet potatoes.