Ecologie de Steatomys opimus Pousargues, 1894 (Rongeurs, Dendromuridés) en Afrique centrale

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Abstract
S. opimus was studied in a savanna enclosed in equatorial forest of the Central African Empire where it lives in dense populations. The most important factor in the choice of place for its burrow is the nature of the soil which must be light and preferably sandy. The form of the burrow is characteristic, with a long passage for shelter which is sunk spirally into the ground. It varies neither with sex nor with the season. The animal lives near the surface in a nest made with very thick walls. Inside this nest the temperature is constant; this feature is very important because this rodent is imperfectly homeothermic and lives in a habitat which has great temperature variations. The animal lives alone in its burrow except when a female has young. The dispersion of young occurs at the beginning of the rainy season and reproduction takes place during the 2nd half of this season. The food of S. opimus is composed mostly of termites which are accessible in all seasons and which can be found with little expenditure of energy. Fat is present in all individuals. It does not seem to form a reserve for eventual aestivation.

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