In garden bed eating grass. Possibly hard of seeing as it was afraid of sound more than sight. Body approx 20cm long and tail same length as body when stretched out. Is this a broad-tooth rat? Or a black rat, or brown rat? Or an antechinus?
All Canberra rats recorded for many years have been R. rattus. The tail reaches the nose tip. Foot pads also diagnostic. And teat number can be helpful. Rats behaving like this are common due to the effects of anti-coagulant rodenticides. However toxoplasmosis (protozooan disease passed by cats to other mammals) can also cause diurnal and risky behaviour.