Cane Rats: Thryonomyidae

The meat of both cane rat species is highly prized as an excellent and good-tasting protein source in an often harsh environment. Organized hunts for the animals are frequently held. Some farmers have even started to domesticate "microherds" of them, and families sometimes rely on sale of their meat for income. In Ghana, the price of cane rat meat reportedly surpasses that of beef, sheep, and pork. Farmers are often angered by the rats' frequent raids on their crops, and encourage pythons to come into their fields to feed on the animals.