Rats
Identification of small mammals from photos is uncertain. It helps to have multiple photos, preferably with a scale in all images, showing: the ratio of tail-length to body-length; the nature of the ears, including how far the ear lobe will reach, in relation to the eye, when the ear lobe is folded forward; the pads under the hind feet; the fur above and below the body, any markings on the head or face; and the scales and fur on the tail.
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Discussion
DonFletcher
wrote:
22 Apr 2025
Hi Chris @cmobbs, Tail of introduced Black (Roof) Rat is longer than its head+body. Tail of native Bush Rat (R fuscipes) is shorter. Also, R.fuscipes has not been recorded in Canberra or Canberra Nature Park for many decades, if ever. And R. norvegicus is rare here. Our only native rat in Canberra is the Rakali.
In the mountains there are four rat species, R.rattus, R.fuscipes, Mastacomys fuscus and Rakali. Also the extremely rare Smoky Mouse is the size of a juvenile rat.
Here is a link to the CNM advice about identifying and managing small mammals, titled 'PHOTOGRAPHY OF SMALL MAMMALS FOR IDENTIFICATION' Rodents
In the mountains there are four rat species, R.rattus, R.fuscipes, Mastacomys fuscus and Rakali. Also the extremely rare Smoky Mouse is the size of a juvenile rat.
Here is a link to the CNM advice about identifying and managing small mammals, titled 'PHOTOGRAPHY OF SMALL MAMMALS FOR IDENTIFICATION' Rodents
Rattus rattus
KimTankard
wrote:
4 Apr 2025
It was so exciting to see a Rakali in the Lake again. It’s been a few years since I last saw one hear in Belconnen, ACT
Hydromys chrysogaster
DonFletcher
wrote:
17 Mar 2025
Hi @Mira Do you have a photo of it to upload?
Sorry to say that if it is a rat in that location it will be 99% sure to be a Black/Roof/Ship Rat (Rattus rattus). (unless it was transported from far away). But a good photo(s) will tell us for sure. Moribund rats near settlement are victims of anti-coagulant rodenticides. Alive or dead, they are lethal to owls and other birds which eat them. If it is still alive the best thing is to pick it up in a towel or other thick cloth, humanely kill it, or get someone to do that for you, then dispose of the carcass in some way that animals cannot get it. Black Rats are in most of the Canberra houses built more than 30 years ago, especially if there are chooks kept anywhere nearby, if birds are fed or if there are compost heaps. But they are often undetected.
Sorry to say that if it is a rat in that location it will be 99% sure to be a Black/Roof/Ship Rat (Rattus rattus). (unless it was transported from far away). But a good photo(s) will tell us for sure. Moribund rats near settlement are victims of anti-coagulant rodenticides. Alive or dead, they are lethal to owls and other birds which eat them. If it is still alive the best thing is to pick it up in a towel or other thick cloth, humanely kill it, or get someone to do that for you, then dispose of the carcass in some way that animals cannot get it. Black Rats are in most of the Canberra houses built more than 30 years ago, especially if there are chooks kept anywhere nearby, if birds are fed or if there are compost heaps. But they are often undetected.
Rattus rattus
yellowboxwoodland
wrote:
15 Mar 2025
They are screen shots from video taken by voopeak solar integrated hunting camera tc08 bought on Amazon.
Thanks for the advice re poison.
Thanks for the advice re poison.
Rattus rattus
DonFletcher
wrote:
15 Mar 2025
Hi @yellowboxwoodland, Nice sharp images, I can even see guard hairs. What make and model of trail camera took these photos?
At the risk of telling what you already know, there is not necessarily any need to take action against Black Rats. They are widespread in urban and many bush areas. If action is taken, it is necessary to be careful, especially in a bushy place like yours. Our regulators (APVMA) have let us down in that the most widely used rodent control methods are a real threat to wildlife, especially owls and other birds. Please dont bait with '2nd generation' anticoagulants such as Brodifacoum. If you bait at all, only use Warfarin. Any moribund animals or carcasses are toxic to birds so dispose of them where wildlife cannot get them. The better solutions are like the one illustrated in the photo, e.g. wherever possible make things inaccessible to rodents (well sealed door) in preference to killing them, and to some degree accept them. They are probably present in most older houses but the human residents are mostly unaware of them.
At the risk of telling what you already know, there is not necessarily any need to take action against Black Rats. They are widespread in urban and many bush areas. If action is taken, it is necessary to be careful, especially in a bushy place like yours. Our regulators (APVMA) have let us down in that the most widely used rodent control methods are a real threat to wildlife, especially owls and other birds. Please dont bait with '2nd generation' anticoagulants such as Brodifacoum. If you bait at all, only use Warfarin. Any moribund animals or carcasses are toxic to birds so dispose of them where wildlife cannot get them. The better solutions are like the one illustrated in the photo, e.g. wherever possible make things inaccessible to rodents (well sealed door) in preference to killing them, and to some degree accept them. They are probably present in most older houses but the human residents are mostly unaware of them.
Rattus rattus
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