The maned rat (Lophiomys imhausi, also called crested rat) is a long-haired and bushy-tailed East African rodent that resembles a porcupine. It is named for its mane of long, coarse, black-and-white-banded hairs that begins at the top of the head and extends beyond the base of the tail.

The maned rat's body can grow up to 14 inches long, or 21 inches from head to tail. The rat is particularly skilled at climbing trees, although it chooses to nest in burrows or rock formations on the ground.

References

• Kenyalogy Taxonomy (http://www.kenyalogy.com/eng/fauna/taxonmam.html)
• Crested Rat at America Zoo (http://www.americazoo.com/goto/index/mammals/175.htm)