Rattus rattus
Black Rat at Wanniassa, ACT
Identify this sighting
| Rattus rattus | DonFletcher | 25 Sep 2023 | |
| Rattus fuscipes | Melwest81 | 24 Sep 2023 |
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User's notes
Rat found in front yard
2 comments
25 Sep 2023
Hi @Melwest81
I think you realise no photo was uploaded, so ID relies on your account. However Bush Rats have never been found in the suburbs. The very similar Black Rat (aka Roof Rat, Rattus rattus) has been unusually common in the last couple of years, so I have confirmed as the latter, but could change it if you had some special evidence. They are often being seen out in daylight looking unwell or injured due to the effects of rat baits. When healthy they are strictly nocturnal and highly active.
The most commonly purchased baits contain 2nd generation toxins such as brodifacoum (Warfarin is 1st generation). The 2nd gen toxins are responsible for the deaths of many owls and other predatory birds which eat the dying rats and mice. So it is best to dispose of the moribund rats by killing them and putting the carcass in a plastic bag in the garbage. And it is best not to use such toxins to control your rats and mice, which seem to be present in almost every backyard, especially if there are either compost bins or chook yards in the area.
I think you realise no photo was uploaded, so ID relies on your account. However Bush Rats have never been found in the suburbs. The very similar Black Rat (aka Roof Rat, Rattus rattus) has been unusually common in the last couple of years, so I have confirmed as the latter, but could change it if you had some special evidence. They are often being seen out in daylight looking unwell or injured due to the effects of rat baits. When healthy they are strictly nocturnal and highly active.
The most commonly purchased baits contain 2nd generation toxins such as brodifacoum (Warfarin is 1st generation). The 2nd gen toxins are responsible for the deaths of many owls and other predatory birds which eat the dying rats and mice. So it is best to dispose of the moribund rats by killing them and putting the carcass in a plastic bag in the garbage. And it is best not to use such toxins to control your rats and mice, which seem to be present in almost every backyard, especially if there are either compost bins or chook yards in the area.
25 Sep 2023
Thanks so much Don, it actually died over night and after further inspection noticed he had a long tail and more pointed ears. I thought it might be a black rat but due to the colouring it was hard to tell.
Location information
- Places Wanniassa, ACT
Sighting information
- At least 1 Abundance
- Melwest81 Recorded by
- Unknown Gender
- Breeding behaviour Breeding behaviour
- Injured / sick Animal health
Collections
Species information
- Rattus rattus Scientific name
- Black Rat Common name
- Not Sensitive
- Exotic
- Non-invasive or negligible
- Up to 1019.83m Recorded at altitude
- External link More information
Record quality
Quality score
6 / 7
- Images or audio
- More than one media file
- Verified by an expert moderator
- GPS evidence of location
- Description
- Additional attributes
- Nearby sighting(s) of same species