The Bush Rat, Rattus fuscipes, is a native placental mammal, common throughout south-eastern Australia. They occur in forests, woodlands, swamps and Alpine areas. They are very adaptable, with a broad diet including plant roots, shoots, seeds and leaves, plus fungi and insects.

Other rats which may occur at Manna Park or Mandeni include the native Swamp Rat, Rattus lutreolus, and the exotic pest Black Rat, Rattus rattus. Subtle differences between species may include that the Bush Rat’s eyes bulge more, the fur or more golden tipped, and the ears are larger and more rounded.

To identify a species with confidence it is necessary to look at the length of the Rat’s body and tail:

• The Bush Rat has a typical body length of 160mm and tail 150mm; just a bit shorter than the body
• The Swamp Rat has a typical body length of 160mm and a tail of 110mm; almost half the body length.
• The Black Rat has a typical body length of 190mm, with a tail of 230mm; longer than the body

The Bush Rat photographed below was caught near House Dam at Mandeni, at coordinates GDA 07 59 550, 59 17 910.

The body measured approx 170mm, with tail 140mm.

Click on the thumbnails to download a higher resolution image (T.Hastings 20/1/2011)0