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.


Rodents

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Discussion

DonFletcher wrote:
Yesterday
Call me on 0428 48 9990 if you prefer, or email don.fletcher999@gmail.com

Unverified Rodent
DonFletcher wrote:
Yesterday
Hi @Klrvs, I'm VERY sceptical about the ID by a vet. It would be the first member of the species ever recorded in or around Canberra. And R. fuscipes is not known to occur in suburbs. So can you please provide more information: Who identified it? Can I have the carcass? On what technical basis was it identified as R. fuscipes? (For example it is well known that tails of Black Rats are longer than head-body length, and tails of Bush Rats are shorter, but it is not well known that this relationship does not apply with juveniles).

Unverified Rodent
KIrvs wrote:
Yesterday
@DonFletcher we took him to the vet. He was a Bush rat. The injuries he sustained were indicative of a cat attack and were too severe for him to survive. I left him in their care to have him euthanized.

Unverified Rodent
DonFletcher wrote:
Yesterday
This person seems to know her stuff about keeping rats https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aOLp4M3cses

Unverified Rodent
KIrvs wrote:
Yesterday
@DonFletcher ni cast yet, we found him in the evening and couldn't take him anywhere. Looking into that today. He's made it through the night. Let me give him some pats and sniffed me a little. Hasn't eaten or drank anything though. We will move him to a proper cage today as well, right now he's got a Tupperware with shredded paper. His belly seems surface level. A tiny bit of blood over night on the paper, but mostly clear fluid. Still moving around really well. Not sure now if the leg is broken or just hurt, now he's moving. I'll update when I have more info!

I have also owned domestic rats in the past so I'm prepared for the care needed :)

Unverified Rodent
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