Hydromys chrysogaster (Rakali or Water Rat)
The Australian Water-rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) is a genuine native rodent that was a natural part of our environment long before its pest cousins - the black rat and brown rat - arrived with the early colonists. The Water-rat (also known as Rakali) has a thick coat of waterproof, soft fur, dense whiskers, blunt muzzle, partly webbed hind feet and furry tail. It is black to brown in colour with an orange to white belly, and dark tail with a white tip.
Most active at dusk, but can be active anytime of day. Feed on a variety of primarily animal foods including fish, crustaceans, shellfish and some vertebrates. They have learnt to eat the toxic Cane Toad by flipping it over on its back to avoid the poisonous shoulder glands. They live in a burrow on the low banks of waterways.
They have been protected since 1938; before then they were killed as a nuisance animal and hunted for their soft fur. Widespread in permanent water bodies of Australia, New Guinea and offshore Islands. As it is widespread it has various Indigenous names according to the local linguistic group or area.
References
Hydromys chrysogaster is listed in the following regions:
Canberra & Southern Tablelands | Southern Highlands | Albury, Wodonga | South Coast | Riverina Murray | Far West New South Wales | New South Wales North Coast | Hume | Greater Melbourne | Loddon Mallee | Central Queensland | South West Western Australia
Species information
- Hydromys chrysogaster Scientific name
- Rakali or Water Rat Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Local native
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 1940m Recorded at altitude
- 293 images trained Machine learning
- External link More information
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