Tooth succession in the greater cane rat Thryonomys swinderianus (Temminck, 1827)

Tooth succession was followed in captive greater cane rats Thryonomys swind erianus of known ages with the aid of regular radiographs. The incisors and single premolar tooth (dP 4/4) in each quadrant are persistent deciduous t eeth that are not replaced by permanent teeth. Tooth succession is relative ly slow, with eruption of the lower cheek teeth in advance of the upper one s. During the first 5 months of post-natal development, three cheek teeth p er quadrant become functional. Another 5 months elapse before the fourth ch eek tooth erupts. The same slow growth can be seen in the increase in mass, which only doubles 5 months after puberty (5 months).