The cricétomes before known under the unsuitable names of rats of Gambia or giant rats is large Rongeur S African heavy around 1,4 kg and traditionally driven out for the human consumption in the major part of sub-Saharan Africa.

Two Espèce S are distinguished:

• Cricetomys emini - giant Rat of Emin or cricétome of forest
• Cricetomys gambianus - rat of Gambia or cricétome of savanna.

One uses in 2007 these giant rats as bomb disposal experts, to detect the antipersonnelles mines with the Mozambique.