[Figelac]

I found this CSIRO paper, just the extract. http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/WR97133.htm

28 species originally in NSW, now just 18, only 8 that aren't threatened, worst losses in central and western areas of the state. I guess the chances of finding a native rodent in central NSW are not good.

[warrgazur]

I found this CSIRO paper, just the extract. http://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/WR97133.htm

28 species originally in NSW, now just 18, only 8 that aren't threatened, worst losses in central and western areas of the state. I guess the chances of finding a native rodent in central NSW are not good.

chocolate lily, I did not realise you lived in central NSW (please provide name of nearest town) as Black or Brown Rats are not recorded for that area. In fact there is only one rodent that does and that is Rattus villosissimus, an indigenous species also known as the Long-haired Rat and the Plague Rat.

The Plague Rat reference refers to it rapid rate of reproduction after good rainfall (ring a bell) to reach plague proportions. When conditions return to normal, the rats die back and will disappear completely from some regions, but in the process will eat anything that also includes cannibalism.

This rat is of similar size and appearance to the Black Rat, except the tail is generally shorter. Probably not much of a climber either, but not sure. So you may well have all native rats.

[GeraldCortis]

chocolate lily, I did not realise you lived in central NSW (please provide name of nearest town) as Black or Brown Rats are not recorded for that area.

hmm..
Define central NSW. There is no shortage of Black rats in most central NSW parts I've visited.

[warrgazur]

hmm..
Define central NSW. There is no shortage of Black rats in most central NSW parts I've visited.

Perhaps you misidentified them?

[GeraldCortis]

Perhaps you misidentified them?

Let us be sure.. To me Rattus rattus is the black rat. It has a tail longer than its body and has the longest tail of all rats in Australia.. Very Common.

[warrgazur]

>>Let us be sure.. To me Rattus rattus is the black rat. It has a tail longer than its body and has the longest tail of all rats in Australia.. Very Common.

[warrgazur]

>>Define central NSW.

[Figelac]

I got a reply from the Aust Museum today, they think it is a black or brown rat. Seems there are no other native rodents around here anymore, except the water rat. They once used to be numerous, and a source of food for aborigines.

[warrgazur]

>>I got a reply from the Aust Museum today, they think it is a black or brown rat. Seems there are no other native rodents around here anymore, except the water rat. They once used to be numerous, and a source of food for aborigines.

[Figelac]

I gave my approximate location in the original post. I am north of Bathurst.

[warrgazur]

>>I gave my approximate location in the original post. I am north of Bathurst.

[warrgazur]

Plains Rat = Long-haired Rat

[GeraldCortis]

Rare to see brown rats west of the divide.