Rodents
PHOTOGRAPHY OF SMALL MAMMALS FOR IDENTIFICATION
Most photos of small terrestrial mammals submitted to Canberra Nature Map for identification that were photographed in the Canberra suburban area are of a Black Rat (Rattus rattus). The next most likely species is the House Mouse (Mus musculus). Outside the city, at present, photos of Black Rats outnumber all other small mammal photos combined. However you may have found something different. Here are some tips for what to include in your photos to increase the potential for correct identification:
- An image that is sharp, not blurry;
- A scale;
- A view of the whole animal (preferably stretched out if it is a carcass);
- Views of every surface - (not always possible but ideally this includes a profile of the head, good views of the ears, the belly, the pads on the hind feet, and a good view of the fur and skin on the tail from below and above);
- Views of the teeth; and
- a count of the number of teats
Anti-coagulant poisoning is seen frequently.
Most rats seen about in daytime in southern areas of Australia are moribund due to baiting with anti-coagulant toxins such as Brodifacoum. As such they are attractive to birds such as owls and raptors, which are very sensitive to 2nd generation anti-coagulants such as Brodifacoum. 1st generation products such as Warfarin are less dangerous because they are metabolised more quickly by the victim. Moribund rats should be picked up under a towel, then humanely killed. All carcasses should be disposed of where animals cannot get them. A better approach is to rodent-proof food sources such as chook feeders, hen houses, and compost containers; and to use traps rather than baits. New age 'deterrents' such as Ultra-sonic devices do not work.
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Discussion
Sorry to say that if it is a rat in that location it will be 99% sure to be a Black/Roof/Ship Rat (Rattus rattus). (unless it was transported from far away). But a good photo(s) will tell us for sure. Moribund rats near settlement are victims of anti-coagulant rodenticides. Alive or dead, they are lethal to owls and other birds which eat them. If it is still alive the best thing is to pick it up in a towel or other thick cloth, humanely kill it, or get someone to do that for you, then dispose of the carcass in some way that animals cannot get it. Black Rats are in most of the Canberra houses built more than 30 years ago, especially if there are chooks kept anywhere nearby, if birds are fed or if there are compost heaps. But they are often undetected.
Rattus rattus
Thanks for the advice re poison.
Rattus rattus
At the risk of telling what you already know, there is not necessarily any need to take action against Black Rats. They are widespread in urban and many bush areas. If action is taken, it is necessary to be careful, especially in a bushy place like yours. Our regulators (APVMA) have let us down in that the most widely used rodent control methods are a real threat to wildlife, especially owls and other birds. Please dont bait with '2nd generation' anticoagulants such as Brodifacoum. If you bait at all, only use Warfarin. Any moribund animals or carcasses are toxic to birds so dispose of them where wildlife cannot get them. The better solutions are like the one illustrated in the photo, e.g. wherever possible make things inaccessible to rodents (well sealed door) in preference to killing them, and to some degree accept them. They are probably present in most older houses but the human residents are mostly unaware of them.
Rattus rattus
Rattus rattus
It would be lovely indeed to find a native species in a Canberra garden but to convince a moderator that a Rattus in the Canberra suburbs is a native species you would need very strong evidence. I think it would be the first ever. Mastacomys has very specific habitat requirements and has not been recorded in lowland areas (except during the last ice age). Rattus fuscipes does not penetrate suburbs anywhere, and must have disappeared long ago from the ACT lowands. If the video gives a lateral view or a look at the pads on the underside of the rear feet it could help with ID but Nature Mapper only accepts stills.
Rattus rattus
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