Rattus rattus

Black Rat at Russell, ACT

Request use of media

Identification history

	Rattus rattus	13 Jan 2020	DonFletcher
	Rattus norvegicus	4 Jan 2020	RobParnell

Identify this sighting

Please Login or Register to identify this sighting.

User's notes

The rodent had lost power in it's back feet when discovered. It was given shade and water but sadly transpired within the hour. It was given a brief funeral and buried outside the grounds of the Boundless Canberra All-abilities playground.

4 comments

DonFletcher wrote:

5 Jan 2020

Rattus rattus can be a variety of colours so fur colour is not a good guide. Ears look like they would have reached the eye if bent forward, indicating Rattus rattus but tail looks a bit short for R rattus whose tail would reach past its nose. Feel like exhuming it to check Rob? Then you could have a second, longer, funeral ceremony.

RobParnell wrote:

5 Jan 2020

thanks Don. I think I'll pass on your suggestion. I will post one more photo, but I don't think it will help

dhkmapr wrote:

13 Jan 2020

The tail tip appears to have been injured, and may have lost some of its original length. If so, R rattus would be more likely.

DonFletcher wrote:

13 Jan 2020

I suggest going with Rattus rattus

Please Login or Register to comment.

Location information

Coordinates 149.145727 -35.298138
Maps Commonwealth & Kings Parks Mount Ainslie to Black Mountain
Places Russell, ACT

Sighting information

At least 1 Abundance
4 Jan 2020 10:04 AM Recorded on
RobParnell Recorded by
Collections
RobParnell Canberra & Southern Tablelands NatureMapr Rats Rodents Mammals

Species information

Rattus rattus Scientific name
Black Rat Common name
Not Sensitive
Exotic
Non-invasive or negligible
Up to 1019.83m Recorded at altitude
185 images trained Machine learning
External link More information

Australian Capital Territory

New South Wales

Queensland

Northern Territory

Western Australia

South Australia

Victoria

Tasmania