Oregon, USA – The zoo recently welcomed a pair of East African savannah pouched rats named Capri and Sun. Known for their intelligence, size, and remarkable sense of smell, the duo has quickly become a favorite among visitors.

“Pouched rats are very intelligent, and they have some of the best noses in the world,” said Eliza Lee, who oversees the zoo’s ambassador animal area. “In Africa, these rats are trained to sniff out landmines and signs of illegal wildlife trafficking.”

At the zoo, Capri and Sun search for lavender-scented targets hidden under leaves. When they succeed, they are rewarded with treats like sweet potato or broccoli. Staff often walk the rats on leashes and harnesses, giving visitors a close-up look at their impressive size.

“People are always surprised by their size,” Lee added. “Pouched rats can be 30 inches long and weigh more than three pounds. That’s as big as a small dog!”

Capri and Sun live behind the scenes but frequently appear in the zoo’s ambassador animal area. Visitors can meet them during twice-daily keeper chats at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m.

East African savannah pouched rats get their name from hamster-like cheek pouches used to store food. They are native to Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Oregon Zoo also partners with the Niassa Carnivore Project to support local conservation, education, and human-wildlife safety efforts.

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