The Swamp Rat, Rattus lutreolus, is a native placental mammal, common throughout south-eastern Australia. They occur in wet coastal 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 Bush Rat, Rattus fuscipes, and the exotic pest Black Rat, Rattus rattus.

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 Black Rat has a typical body length of 190mm, with a tail of 230mm; longer than the body

The photograph below by Ian McCann, Museum of Victoria.