MOROGORO, Tanzania — Often dismissed as pests, rats have long been misunderstood. But the African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus), the world’s longest, is challenging that perception.

The African giant pouched rat has an exceptional sense of smell and is a social and intelligent animal that can be trained.

(Left) Dora Hebert with Nandera, one of eight wildlife detection giant rats. (Right) A wildlife detection giant rat triggers the ball to signal a find during training. Images by Lucia Torres/Mongabay.