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The Bandicoot Bandicota indica, is the largest among marine species
found in association with man exceeding a foot in body length when adult.
Seldom found far from villages and towns where it lives in gardens and
outhouses. Their tunneling activities are very destructive. Omnivorous in
diet and susceptible to plague. When annoyed they erect their hair and
grunt, a habit which distinguishes them from other rats except the lesser
Bandicoot or Mole Rat Bandicota bengalensis which lives in fields,
pasture lands, gardens and in forests. A smaller and brown instead of grey
coloured animal, it excavates extensive burrows and has the habit of
storing grain in specially excavated chambers along the course of its
tunnels.
The Indian Bush Rat Golunda ellioti is widely distributed in India.
About 4 inches in body length, this yellowish-brown rat is essentially a
forest animal but ventures into cultivated land. The food consists of roots
and other vegetable matter and it is said to be partial to the seeds of the
Lantana.
Four species of mice occur in the State. The Indian field Mouse Mus
booduga is widespread. The colour of the dorsal fur varies according to the
habitat, being sandy brown in arid areas and dark grayish brown in moist
country. Another common species is the Spiny Field Mouse Mus
platythrix the fur in this mouse is almost entirely of flattened spine like
hairs. A race of the Fawn-coloured Mouse Mus cervicolor has been
reported from Chikalda and Asirgarh, It is uncommon. The House Mouse
Mus musculus is a commensal of man. A dark to light brown miniature
replica of the House rat resembles it in many of its habits including
susceptibility to plague.
The Indian Gerbil Tatera indica found throughout India from the
Himalayas to the Cape is easily distinguished from rats and mice by the
tail being clothed in hair as opposed to the naked tail of the rats. It varies
in colour from reddish brown to grayish fawn and inhabits open plains. Its
burrows are commonly found near cultivation. It feeds mainly on grains,
roots etc. and can be extremely destructive to cultivation at all stages of
growth. They also have the habit of storing large quantities of grains in
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