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. 


Rats

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Discussion

DonFletcher wrote:
Yesterday
Hi @Jennymec , for decades, the only small mammals in the Canberra suburbs have been the Black (Roof) Rat (Rattus rattus) and the House Mouse (Mus musculus). There have also been a few claims for the Norway (Sewer) Rat (Rattus norvegicus). Of course our nearby waterways have the native Rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster) but I dont know of one coming in among houses. However your first and second images do not look exactly like a Black (Roof) Rat (Rattus rattus). I dont know what they do look like. The short tail and dumpy appearance reminded me of Swamp Rat (Rattus lutreolus/lutreola) which we do not have in the ACT. I think this must be R. rattus but I have left it as uncertain. If you can get better images ....

Rattus sp.
DonFletcher wrote:
25 May 2025
I agree.

Rattus rattus
25 May 2025
I suggest its a black rat - the tail is long (longer than the head/body), the ears are large (the test is if folded forward they go past the middle of the eye - hard sometimes to determine from photos) and the head is pointed. Also black rats are very good climbers.

Rattus rattus
arjay wrote:
24 May 2025
We have two. A agilis and A stuartii.

Rattus fuscipes
DonFletcher wrote:
24 May 2025
Do you know which Antechinus?

Rattus fuscipes
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