cane rat 
noun
A large rat-like African rodent found in wetlands south of the Sahara. It is often a pest of sugar plantations.
- Family Thryonomyidae and genus Thryonomys: two species.
- Wild-caught cane rat is commonly eaten, so captive breeding will not alter the traditional lifestyle, only make it easier.
- Fear soon gave way to thrill, though, as we watched him run off with a huge cane rat in his mouth.