International Journal of Research Studies in Zoology Volume 3, Issue 4, 2017, PP 46-49 ISSN No. 2454-941X DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.20431/2454-941X.0304006 www.arcjournals.org International Journal of Research Studies in Zoology Page | 46 Dominant Rodent Species in Animal Production Farms at Sohag Governorate, Egypt Abd El-Aleem Saad Soliman Desoky Plant protection Department (Agriculture Zoology), Faculty of Agriculture, Sohag University, Egypt 1. INTRODUCTION Rodents are known for their high reproductive potential, there are many interesting dynamics to various rodent populations that should be understood to better facilitate their management and to reduce damage. The population goes through an annual cycle that may include high and low densities, active and inactive periods, reproductive and non-reproductive periods, and dispersal periods. To avoid inclement periods, some species exhibit winter dormancy (hibernation), and some species have summer dormancy (estivation) during hot, dry periods. Some species exhibit multi-year cycles; for example, the rodents often reach population peaks (irruptions) every 3-5 years (Edge et al., 1995 and Wolff et al., 1997). All rodents require food, shelter, and water. The shelter provides protection from predators, inclement weather, and a favorable place to bear and rear their young. Although rodents require water, those water requirements vary greatly by species. Because rodent food and cover (i.e., vegetation) can be influenced by human activities, there has been considerable development of strategies to reduce populations and damage by manipulating vegetation. We will discuss some of these habitat management approaches, but caution that many of them have not been thoroughly investigated or tested on a large scale (Barras and Seamans, 2002). In Egypt, the changes of the environment by reclamation the desert and increase the cover plant in this area have been a great effect to the distribution of rodent species on abundance in the studied area (Desoky, 2007 and Abdel-Gawad, 2010). The present work was aimed to identify of rodent species at animal production farms to be used in the development of a future plan in effective strategy for implementation of rodent management programs in newly reclaimed land in Egypt. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODS The present work was carried out in animal production farms at the experimental stations of the Faculty of Agriculture, Sohag University in two area during March 2015 till February 2017 years. Area (1) El-Kawther city It is located in newly reclaimed area at the Eastern desert area as arid region (15km. East of Sohag Governorate). This area has been planted from along period about (30 years) with isolated patches of vegetables, wheat, Egyptian clover, alfalfa, certain orchards and have a sheep farm, this farm about 10 Faddens, including the crops, buildings of animal sheds and animal food storages. Abstract: The present work was aimed to identify of rodent species in animal production farms at the Experimental Stations of the Faculty of Agriculture, Sohag University, Sohag Governorate, Egypt, during 2015-2017 years. Four rodent species were found, one species belonged to family Cricetidae, named lesser garbia, Gerbillus gerbillus Olivier and three species of family muridae were recorded. Species of family muridae include field rat Arvicanthis niloticus Desmarest, grey bellied rat Rattus rattus alexandrinus Linnaeus, white bellied rat Rattus rattus frugivorus Linnaeus. Keywords: Arvicanthis niloticus, Mus musculus, lesser garbia, Rattus rattus alexandrines, Rattus rattus frugivorus *Corresponding Author: Abd El-Aleem Saad Soliman Desoky, Plant protection Department (Agriculture Zoology), Faculty of Agriculture, Sohag University, Egypt