Diurnal, seasonal and sex variations in rectal temperature of African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse)

(1)Rectal temperature (Tr) was measured in captive African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse), live-trapped in the Savannah during the harmattan, hot-dry and rainy seasons with the aim of determining diurnal, seasonal and sex patterns.(2)Mean (±SEM) Tr in the morning (37.16±0.04 °C) was lower (P<0.001) than the afternoon (37.49±0.03 °C) and evening (37.66±0.03 °C). There was no significant difference (P>0.05) between afternoon and evening Tr during the harmattan and rainy seasons, but the difference was significant (P<0.001) during the hot-dry season. Overall Tr was higher (P<0.001) during the hot-dry (38.03±0.03 °C) than harmattan (37.17±0.03 °C) and rainy (37.21±0.03 °C) seasons. Tr of bucks was lower than that of does (P<0.0001) during the harmattan and rainy seasons, but sex difference during the hot-dry season was not significant (P>0.05).(3)Base-line Tr values for the African giant rats are shown for the first time. Season, time of day and sex influence fluctuations in Trs of African giant rats, and should be considered during diagnostic and clinical evaluations.