Mole Rats on the Menu

I am yet to visit a restaurant in Cameroon and the North West Region in particular where rats are served like is the case in some parts of Asia and South America but, I have visited homes where the men seldom let the women in charge of the kitchen when rats are on the menu. Mole rats (bush rats) have been on dinner tables for a very long time now and they constitute what is generally known as bush meat. This species of mole rat is different from the naked mole rat found in East Africa. It is a misconception that mole rat meat is eaten mainly by the poor or out of necessity. It is a delicacy and as such, popular in most rural communities and sold in some local markets. For better preservation, the rats are generally smoked before being brought to the market.

For most farmers, going back home with rats after a long day is a double victory because they come home with meat for the next meal and also get rid of pests destroying their crops especially roots, tubers, and nuts.

Concerns have been raised about the health risks involved in consuming this rodent but, it is important to note that like other rodents (squirrels, porcupines and guinea pigs) and wild game, rats have the possibility of being human disease vectors. However, they are healthier and safer than house rats and also very nutritious when cooked properly because of its high protein and low fat content.

Luna M. N.