Placental

Mainly nocturnal. Shelters in burrows (warrens) during the day. Can breed from 4 months of age, at any time of the year. When conditions are good they can produce 5 or more litters a year, with 4 to 5 young in each litter. Their impact is greatest during drought and straight after a bushfire, when food is scarce and they eat whatever they can. They ringbark trees and shrubs, and prevent regeneration by eating seeds and seedlings.

Mainly nocturnal. Rests during the day under grass or among rocks (not in burrows). Can breed rapidly, similarly to rabbits.

Black Rats are good climbers, scaling buildings and trees. They eat a range of food types and are considered pests.

Swamp Rats need dense plant growth so they can build long tunnels though the vegetation. Females need good spring growth of grasses and sedges to establish a territory of about 0.5 hectares before they can breed. They can have several litters of up to five young per year. Frequent fires will prevent Swamp Rats from living in an area.