Hi @MatthewFrawley You may or may not know that all rodent baits available for domestic use employ anti-coagulant toxins, either first generation Warfarin, or so-called 2nd generation Brodifacoum, Bromadialone, etc. All cause the dying rodents to try to go outside the house, and to become more diurnal. As a result, secondary poisoning of other animals occurs. The 2nd generation agents last for much longer in poisoned animals, and seemingly can be cumulative in reptiles, at least some of which (goannas) are highly resistant to them, to the extent they would be potentially lethal to their predators (tertiary poisoning). Owls and raptors are very sensitive to particularly the 2nd generation toxins. Studies have linked the prevalence of 2nd generation rodenticides to deaths of owls. You can reduce the risk of secondary poisoning of other animals by avoiding the worst rodenticides, or all rodenticides, and by disposing of any carcasses or moribund rodents, where animals cannot access them.
Animal Welfare is another issue. The suffering experienced by animals poisoned by anti-coagulants is variable (because bleeding sites vary a bit) but judging mainly from a study of pigs poisoned with Warfarin, unacceptable. (That's why Warfarin is no longer used for pig control in Namadgi). It is common now to find recommendations on mammal identification or wildlife photography sites to humanely kill any rodents found moribund.
Hi @Whirlwind, not at all. Don't delete. Nature Mapper is for all organisms, including non-local species. Some of the pest species records have proved very useful, eg new weed species to an area.
Thanks Don, I think you might be right. I've not seen any rodents at our house (we're lucky, I guess). This is the first time I've seen these but yes their tails are much longer than that of an antechinus, their noses are not pink and their heads are not as pointy either. So maybe I should just delete this posting?
Head not nearly as pointed as native Antechinus or Sminthopsis. Pinkish tail, sparsely haired, longer than head-body and mouse-size = House Mouse (as opposed to juvenile Black/Roof Rat or adult New Holland Mouse). However I cant confirm atm due to some glitch in Nature Mapper.
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