A pair of East African savannah pouched rats has become a surprise attraction at the Oregon Zoo, impressing visitors with their size, intelligence, and unique abilities.

The nocturnal rodents - Capri and Sun - arrived at the zoo earlier this year and have quickly become favourites among guests.

Eliza Lee, who oversees the zoo's ambassador animal area, said: 'Pouched rats are very intelligent, and they have some of the best noses in the world. In Africa, these rats are trained to sniff out landmines and signs of illegal wildlife trafficking.'

Capri and Sun demonstrate their scent-detection skills at the zoo by searching for lavender-scented targets hidden under leaves. They are rewarded with treats such as sweet potato or broccoli when successful.

Adorable footage shows keepers feeding the animals while on leashes and harnesses, giving visitors a close-up look at their size.

Lee added: 'People are always surprised by their size. Pouched rats can be 30 inches long and weigh more than three pounds. That's as big as a small dog!'

Although Capri and Sun live behind the scenes, they are frequent guests in the zoo's ambassador animal area. Visitors can meet them during twice-daily keeper chats at 12:30 pm and 2 pm.

East African savannah pouched rats are named for their hamster-like cheek pouches, which they use to store food. They are native to Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Oregon Zoo also partners with the Niassa Carnivore Project, which supports local conservation, education, and human–wildlife safety efforts in East Africa.