Thryonomyidae (cane rats, grass-cutters; order Rodentia, suborder Hystricomorpha) A family of heavily built, burrowing rodents that have small eyes and ears and short, fully haired tails. The fifth digit is vestigial on all limbs. The hair is coarse and flattened, has grooves on its upper surfaces, and grows in clumps of five or six hairs. Cane rats are distributed widely throughout Africa south of the Sahara; in W. Africa they are currently undergoing domestication as they are widely relished for food. There are two species in a single genus, Thryonomys.

Thryonomys (cane rats, grass-cutters) See THRYONOMYIDAE.