Mammals
Fat Sand Rat
Psammomys obesus · also called sand rat
Beside a patch of salty saltbush in the North African desert, a fat sand rat sits in the morning sun and chews succulent leaves, a diet that would poison most other mammals.
Overview
The fat sand rat, Psammomys obesus, is a Least Concern desert rodent of North Africa and the Middle East. Its salt-tolerant diet, daytime activity, and tendency to develop diabetes on rich food have made it an unusual subject for medical research.
A desert rodent with a medical legacy
In the wild the fat sand rat thrives on low-energy plants, but plentiful rich food overwhelms its metabolism, which is why scientists use it to study diabetes.
Status
Least Concern, locally common in suitable desert habitat.
Fat Sand Rat: common questions
Why is it called the fat sand rat?
On ordinary rodent food it readily becomes obese, a trait linked to its natural diet of low-energy, salty desert plants.
Why do scientists study the fat sand rat?
It readily develops diabetes on energy-rich food, so it is used as a model for studying type 2 diabetes.
What does the fat sand rat eat in the wild?
It feeds almost entirely on salty, succulent desert plants such as saltbushes.
Where is the fat sand rat found?
It lives in desert and semi-desert habitat from North Africa to parts of the Middle East.