Australian Swamp Rat

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Australian Swamp Rat - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann | Australian Swamp Rat - Bob Winters | Australian Swamp Rat - Bob Winters

Rattus lutreolus

Body fur dark grey or grey-brown. Feet brown. Tail dark brown and shorter than the body. Body up to 20 cm, tail up to 14 cm.

Details
Type
Mammal
Group
Animals
Placental
Other Common Names
Eastern Swamp-rat
Biology

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.
Distinctive Markings

Dark brown fur, dark tail shorter than body, brown feet.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Rodentia
Family
Muridae
Genus
Rattus
Species
lutreolus
Eastern Australia, including southern Victoria.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Interesting Facts
Diet

Herbivore. Eats stems of grasses and sedges; also eats insects in winter.
Habitat

Lives in grassy, heathy, and sedge habitats.
Native Status
Native to Australia