What is the name of the largest mouse in the world? - briefly
The biggest mouse species is the African giant pouched mouse, scientifically Cricetomys gambianus. It can attain a body length of about 30 cm and weigh more than 1 kg.
What is the name of the largest mouse in the world? - in detail
The biggest mouse species known to science is the Giant African Pouched Mouse (Cricetomys gambianus). It belongs to the family Muridae and is native to sub‑Saharan Africa, where it occupies savannas, woodlands, and agricultural fields.
Adult individuals reach a head‑and‑body length of 15–20 cm, a tail length of 12–20 cm, and can weigh up to 1.5 kg. This size exceeds that of any other murid mouse. The species is characterized by large, cheek‑sized pouches used for transporting food, robust limbs, and coarse, reddish‑brown fur.
Key biological traits:
- Diet: Omnivorous; consumes seeds, fruits, insects, small vertebrates, and carrion.
- Reproduction: Breeds year‑round in favorable climates; litters contain 2–6 pups after a gestation of about 30 days.
- Behavior: Primarily nocturnal; excellent swimmers and diggers; displays strong territoriality.
- Human interaction: Trained individuals have been employed in detection work for landmines and narcotics due to their keen sense of smell and trainability.
Geographic range extends from Senegal and Guinea in the west to Ethiopia and Kenya in the east, and south to Angola and Tanzania. Conservation status is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, reflecting a stable population across its broad habitat.