Rhizomyidae

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Rhizomyidae (bamboo rats; order Rodentia, suborder Myomorpha) A family of burrowing rodents (often considered a subfamily of Muridae) which feed above ground and which resemble American pocket gophers, although they lack cheek pouches. The incisors project below the upper lip, the legs are short, pentadactyl, and possess strong claws, and the tail is short and sparsely haired. The head is broad and flat, and the eyes and ears are small. There are about six species, in three genera (Rhizomys, Cannomys, and Tachyoryctes), found in south-east Asia and tropical E.Africa.