Pictures courtesy of Komchadluek 

 

A 37-year-old farmer in Lampang has turned a relatively unknown rodent called “Onn” (bamboo rat) into a lucrative economic animal over the past eight years. Mr. Ekachai Saiyot, known locally as Tong, initially spent two years studying the species before purchasing breeding pairs for 8,500 baht each in 2017. Since then, he has successfully bred and sold the animals, which are prized for their ease of care, high reproductive rates and resistance to disease.

 

Onn rodents are easy to raise in cement ponds and can be kept in groups after weaning. When they reach four to five months of age, males are separated from females to prepare for breeding. Pregnant females carry litters for about 45 days, producing between one and seven offspring per litter, with each female capable of three litters per year. Young animals are typically sold at four to five months old for 3,500 baht per pair or by weight at 500 baht per kilogram, with larger individuals reaching up to seven kilograms.

 

Feeding Onn is simple and inexpensive. Bamboo is their main diet, supplemented with leftover bamboo mixed with sticky rice or pet food for younger animals. They do not require water and their droppings, shaped like small capsules, are odorless and can be used as fertiliser. The animals thrive in cooler conditions and farmers mitigate heat by moistening the enclosure when necessary. Routine care is minimal, allowing for short absences without affecting their well-being.

 

Khomchadluek reported that the domestic market for Onn rodents remains strong, with only a few breeders operating in Lampang. Middlemen often pre-order the animals and there is also international demand for their meat, particularly from Vietnam and Laos. Tong emphasises that he sells live animals rather than meat, citing attachment and care considerations.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• “Onn” rodents are easy to breed, disease-resistant and have high market demand both domestically and abroad.

• Each female can produce up to three litters annually, with young sold from four months of age.

• Feeding is simple, primarily bamboo, and their droppings can be used as fertiliser, requiring minimal daily care.

 

 

  Adapted  by  Asean  Now from Komchadluek 2025-11-16

 

 

 

Up in sunny MaeJo I encountered one of those dead by the side of the road a while back.

Didn't know what the hell it was, looked like a cross between a giant rat and a ground hog.

So thanks for this story ...... now I know.

No rat Mr Fawlty, it’s a hamster     🤣

They do look tasty.

Neighbor is keeping something similar in these cement culvert pipes put on it's side. Barely enough space to animal fit in there. Poor things spending entire life in there. 😪

On 11/16/2025 at 5:17 AM, Georgealbert said:

Since then, he has successfully bred and sold the animals, which are prized for their ease of care, high reproductive rates and resistance to disease.

Goes down well with a nice glass of red

Seen them live on sale in rural markets for years but probably not farmed but trapped.

3 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Goes down well with a nice glass of red

Not funny.

5 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Goes down well with a nice glass of red

 I would think so - quote from OP:-

 

also international demand for their meat, particularly from Vietnam and Laos.

 

Photo of roasted bamboo rat in Ho Chi Minh restaurant -

 

On 11/16/2025 at 8:25 AM, JoePai said:

No rat Mr Fawlty, it’s a hamster     🤣

No, a bamboo rat is not a hamster.; they belong to different taxonomic subfamilies. While both are stout, burrowing rodents with small eyes and ears, they are distinct species with different classifications and physical characteristics. 

Key Differences

Feature Bamboo RatHamster

Scientific SubfamilyRhizomyinaeCricetinae

SizeLarge, can grow up to 20 inches (50 cm) long and weigh up to 11 lbs (5 kg).Generally much smaller; even the largest species (Syrian) is significantly smaller than a bamboo rat.

HabitatNative to bamboo forests and thickets in South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia, living in extensive burrow systems.Native to arid or semi-arid regions in Europe and Asia.

DietPrimarily eats bamboo, but also roots, fruits, and crops.Omnivores, eating plants, seeds, and protein.

TailHas a tail (bald or thinly haired), ranging from 2-8 inches long.Has a very short tail.

In some regions, people may refer to bamboo rats as "panda color bamboo rats" due to specific fur coloration, or some dwarf hamsters might be described as "ratlike" in appearance, but these common names do not indicate a biological relationship. 

4 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

Not funny.

But delicious

In my experience, rats taste pretty much the way that you would expect them to taste!  Rabbits, on the other hand, are delicious.  Very similar to chicken, but a bit more savory.

 

Given the similarity of size and diet of the bamboo rats and rabbits, I wonder if they taste more like rabbits than rats?

23 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

But delicious

Your choice.

Post breaking forum rules removed.

 

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The one in the picture with Tong isn't exactly a "Wee, sleekit, cow'rin, tim'rous beastie, O, what a panic's in thy breastie!".  Obviously doesn't know it'll have a rod shoved up it's jacksie in Vietnam and then be spit roast!

 

Citation - "To a Mouse", Robert Burns, 1785

You least something new every day. Thanks for the information. 

On 11/16/2025 at 8:25 AM, JoePai said:

No rat Mr Fawlty, it’s a hamster     🤣

Well, the bamboo rat belongs to the subfamily Rhizomyinae, while the hamsters are from the subfamily Phodopus.

And I do not know a hamster reaching up to seven kilograms. 

I must admit though that the shape of their face is very similar.

They eat bamboo, so their meat must be nice. Farmers around here like to eat rats (Loei province).

15 minutes ago, Garouda said:

Well, the bamboo rat belongs to the subfamily Rhizomyinae, while the hamsters are from the subfamily Phodopus.

And I do not know a hamster reaching up to seven kilograms. 

I must admit though that the shape of their face is very similar.

They eat bamboo, so their meat must be nice. Farmers around here like to eat rats (Loei province).

555, so you are not a Brit  

On 11/22/2025 at 11:37 AM, JoePai said:

555, so you are not a Brit  

๕๕๕,

Of course, I'm not British...

I asked my wife, and she told me that many people raise these rats. She reminded me of the shops along the roads leading to Bangkok selling grilled rat meat.

 

5 hours ago, Garouda said:

Of course, I'm not British...

 

This may help.