Rats

Identification of small mammals from photos is uncertain. It helps to have multiple photos, preferably with a scale in all images, showing: the ratio of tail-length to body-length; the nature of the ears, including how far the ear lobe will reach, in relation to the eye, when the ear lobe is folded forward; the pads under the hind feet; the fur above and below the body, any markings on the head or face; and the scales and fur on the tail.

Rats

Featured sightings

Hydromys chrysogaster (Rakali or Water Rat) at Fyshwick, ACT - 2 Jan 2025 by rawshorty

Rattus or Mastacomys sp. (genus) (An unidentified rat species) at Tyndale, NSW - 2 Jul 2023 by Topwood

Mastacomys fuscus (Broad-toothed Rat) at Perisher Valley, NSW - 22 Aug 2013 by sharper

Hydromys chrysogaster (Rakali or Water Rat) at Walgett, NSW - 3 Jul 2024 by MB

Hydromys chrysogaster (Rakali or Water Rat) at Lake Ginninderra - 29 Jun 2024 by Simonster

Hydromys chrysogaster (Rakali or Water Rat) at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - 3 May 2024 by Christine

Hydromys chrysogaster (Rakali or Water Rat) at Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve - 28 Apr 2024 by rawshorty

Hydromys chrysogaster (Rakali or Water Rat) at Jerrabomberra Wetlands - 15 Feb 2024 by rawshorty

Latest sightings

Rattus rattus at Corrowong, NSW by BlackFlat

Hydromys chrysogaster (Rakali or Water Rat) at Fyshwick, ACT by rawshorty

Melomys burtoni at Whian Whian, NSW by Watermelontree

Rattus rattus (Black Rat) at Throsby, ACT by JimL

Rattus rattus at Mount Kembla, NSW by BackyardHabitatProject

Hydromys chrysogaster (Rakali or Water Rat) at Latham, ACT by MaryWebb

Unidentified Rat at Lorne, NSW by Butlinz

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Discussion

Watermelontree wrote:

6 Jan 2025

Yet again there is no listing for this locally common species and no way to include the correct identification. Why bother using this database at all?

Melomys burtoni

Watermelontree wrote:

6 Jan 2025

Why can't you accept Melomys cervinipes? There is no synonym for this species of which I'm aware. Please fix this!

Melomys burtoni

Topwood wrote:

8 Nov 2024

Yes I'm thinking a Swamp Rat

Rattus or Mastacomys sp. (genus)

Untidy wrote:

6 Nov 2024

Thank you. Yes it is climbing the fence. I posted it for amusement value. I know I shouldn't do that.

Rattus rattus

DonFletcher wrote:

6 Nov 2024

The photo by itself would be insufficient to distinguish between a large number of species of rodents in Australia. However, if these are fence palings about 1 cm thick, the animal is too big for Mus musculus (House Mouse); and in this location, i.e. an urban area in Canberra; and position, i.e. climbing a fence; we can discount all the alternative species other than Rattus rattus, therefore I will confirm.

Rattus rattus