All items sold on this website are polyurethane resin replicas, made in USA. No real or natural bone is available on this site.
Lophiomys imhausi Skull Replica measures 2.5 inches. Lophiomys imhausi Skull Replica is museum quality polyurethane resin cast. Known as Maned Rat
The Lophiomys imhausi or Maned Rat is a rabbit-sized rodent that resembles a gray puffball crossed with a skunk, its fur is packed with a poison so lethal it can fell an elephant and just a few milligrams can kill a human.
The Lophiomys imhausi or Maned Rat is the only mammal known to sequester plant toxins for chemical defense.
People in East Africa have long suspected the Lophiomys imhausi rat to be poisonous. These large rodents sequester toxins from the poison arrow tree Acokanthera schimperi.
Acokanthera contains cardenolides, compounds similar to those found in Monarch butterflies, Cane toads and some human heart medications. Cardenolides, particularly the ones in Acokanthera, are highly toxic to most animals.
When threatened, the Lophiomys imhausi or African Crested Rat lives up to its name and erects a crest of hair on its back to reveal a warning on its flanks, black and white stripes running from neck-to-tail on each side of its body.
The Lophiomys imhausi or Maned Rats chew the Acokanthera bark and lick the plant toxins into specialized hairs at the center of these stripes.
The glandular system then releases foul smelling chemicals similar to chemicals that are released by skunks.
This behavior is a response to being disturbed or threatened. They expose their stripes to draw attention to these glands. The glands are known to contain poisons or toxins.
The rats appear to be monogamous and may even form small family units with their offspring. They live a monogamous lifestyle and have special squeaks, purrs and other communicative noises making up a wide vocal repertoire.
