How much does a bamboo rat cost? A detailed guide to breeding methods
Bamboo rat, also known as bamboo root rat, bamboo root pig, etc., is an animal belonging to the family Spalacidae and the genus Rhizomys. Because of its cute appearance and furry features, this animal is loved by many people, and many keep bamboo rats as domestic pets, but some people also eat them for their delicious meat. Here we introduce the price of this animal, the bamboo rat, as well as how to breed it.
I. The price of bamboo rats
Bamboo rats feed on bamboo, silvergrass, plant stems and stalks, etc. They are named for eating bamboo. Worldwide there are 3 genera and 6 species, and in China there is 1 genus and 3 species. The bamboo rat can be said to be a treasure from head to tail, with high economic value and medicinal value. It has already been bred on a large scale in China and has become one of the breeding industries with economic benefits.
The price of bamboo rats is not very stable and depends specifically on the different varieties and regions. Sichuan and Guangxi are the two main production areas for bamboo rat breeding. According to the current market conditions, the latest price of 1-3 jin bamboo rat breeding stock in Guilin, Guangxi is 240 yuan per pair; the latest price of 1-3 jin bamboo rat breeding stock in the Beijing area is 260 yuan per pair; the latest price of 1-3 jin bamboo rat breeding stock in the Sichuan area is 500 per pair. The specific price is still subject to the local market price.
II. Breeding bamboo rats
Wild species of bamboo rats are very precious. In our country, varieties such as the hoary bamboo rat, the large bamboo rat, the Chinese bamboo rat and the lesser bamboo rat are all national “three-have protected animals”, and catching them privately is illegal. Our country began artificial domestication and breeding of bamboo rats at the end of the 1980s, and today the techniques for domesticating bamboo rats are already very mature. Here we briefly introduce the breeding methods for bamboo rats.
1. Variety selection: superior breeding rats should be strong and healthy, free of disease and pain, and have glossy fur. Male breeding rats are required to be well developed and free of disease, and female breeding rats are required to have a high litter rate and strong maternal instincts.
2. Daily management: bamboo rats are tolerant of coarse feed and have a strong ability to digest plant-based feed. Adult rats are fed 2 times a day. When the teeth of adult bamboo rats grow too long, a bamboo pole or a hard wooden stick needs to be placed in the cage for them to gnaw on. Young rats need to be fed fresh, easily digestible feed rich in nutrients.
3. Points to note: keep them warm at low temperatures and control the temperature difference (within 6 degrees is best). Avoid cold wind invasion and improve air quality. In winter, also pay attention to disease prevention, strengthen the immunity of the bamboo rats, and at the same time clean up the bamboo rats' feces in time to create a good living environment for them.
Bamboo rats sell very well on the international market, with nearly 500,000 bamboo rats exported to Southeast Asian countries every year. A pair of leather shoes made from bamboo rat skin sells for 2000-2500 yuan on the international market, and a reversed-fur bamboo rat coat sells for 4000-5000 yuan. Although the price is high, they are still very much in demand. Their economic benefits are very significant, and they are high-grade goods that earn foreign exchange through export.
The above is some small knowledge about bamboo rats. When breeding bamboo rats, you must first learn the relevant techniques for bamboo rat breeding, as well as purchase the various products needed for raising and breeding bamboo rats, so as to avoid losses.