Gundis, sometimes known as comb rats, are small rodents which are native to North Africa. They are unusual in the fact that they don’t drink water. They get all their moisture from their food. They also like to chew stones so we a had to make a very strong mix for the artificial rock here.
We made an EPS armature (shape) and coated it with a very hard fine concrete mix. On top of this there is a finer ‘carve’ render which is given the rock texture and coloured. We also built in recesses for heat lamps. Electric conduit tubes were built within the rock so the electrician could easily connect later.
Scroll to bottom of page to see Helsinki Zoo video of Gundis in action
Thanks to zoo keeper Alina Kallio for the animal photos. Check out Alina’s and Timo’s blog here Frog Trail.
