When John Midgley dug a golden brown tarantula out of its burrow in the remote woodlands of southeastern Angola, he felt he had found “one of the most astonishing animals ever.” Examining the spider by headlamp in his camp, the South African entomologist marveled at the horn on its back, longer than any found on […]
SAâs pet trade in non-native small mammals is growing
By Brandstories
By Sally Frost
A variety of small, non-native mammals are being sold in South Africa, with some becoming invasive after escaping or being released from captivity.
This is according to researchers at the University of KwaZulu-Natalâs Centre of Excellence for Invasion Biology and Centre for Functional Biodiversity, situated in the School of Life Sciences.
PhD candidate in Zoology, Ndivhuwo Shivambu, said small mammals were among the most charismatic animals being sold as pets around the world. âIncreasing trade in them has resulted in releases and escapes from captivity. Consequently, several small mammal pets have become invasive, with a significant impact on crops of agricultural importance, biodiversity, human social wellbeing and the economy,â said Shivambu.