蔗鼠是单型科蔗鼠科（Thryonomyidae）下的2种较大型啮齿类动物的统称，分布于撒哈拉以南的非洲。身材肥短，尾较短，耳小，毛粗硬，褐色带有小斑点。体长35-60厘米。其肉可食。一般栖息于临水处。善于游泳，被追赶时窜入水里。以根、禾草及植物其它部分为食。对甘蔗造成很大的损害。每窝产2-4仔，幼仔生下就有毛，睁眼。

The genus Thryonomys, also known as the cane rats, is a genus of rodent found throughout Africa south of the Sahara, the only members of the family Thryonomyidae. They are eaten in some African countries and are a pest species on many crops. The family name comes from the Greek word thryon, meaning a "rush" or "reed".