Small Marsupials
PHOTOGRAPHY OF SMAL 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.
Announcements
Discussion
DonFletcher
wrote:
Yesterday
Hi @JimL, I just noticed the location is wrong. Could you correct it please. (It is shown well outside the Sanctuary but the presence of the path in the photo gives away the true location).
Isoodon obesulus obesulus
DonFletcher
wrote:
24 Jan 2025
@nathkay I'd like to get some details right please. (Why? Because we should get stuff right in any case but also because this is the first record of this species in the ACT as a whole wild animal. It was previously known from bones and fur in eagle nests at Wanniassa and Rob Roy in 2003. Extensive searches in following years failed to find the source population. Later the species was introduced by local staff to the enclosures at Tidbinbilla but some individuals quickly escaped through holes in the fence. So your animal may have been either a descendent of the captive ones, or part of the 'missing' local wild population which was the source of the bones and fur.)
The photo shows the animal on a road but the location given is not on a road. Could you please correct the location. Second, could you please confirm all other details, such as the date, and that the specimen was not collected nor any samples taken (other than a photo) and that it has completely disappeared?
The photo shows the animal on a road but the location given is not on a road. Could you please correct the location. Second, could you please confirm all other details, such as the date, and that the specimen was not collected nor any samples taken (other than a photo) and that it has completely disappeared?
Isoodon obesulus obesulus
DonFletcher
wrote:
24 Jan 2025
@AaronClausen awesome job Carbon AI. Well done.
Isoodon obesulus obesulus
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