Rodents

The water-rat is large in size (up to 40cm long with 25-30cm long tail). They have grey to brown fur with white to orange belly. They have a thick tail with white tip, webbed hind feet, long blunt nose and a pair of yellow, chisel shaped incisor teeth.

You will fins the water-rat living in burrows close to permanent bodies of water.

The water-rat feeds off mainly large insects and fish.

Breeding can occur all year round, with peaks in spring and summer. Gestation is only 35 days long, with 3-4 young in each litter. The water-rat can breed up to 5 times per year.

Introduced species like cats and foxes prey on water-rats.

They are also vulnerable to habitat change including flood mitigation and swamp drainage.

The water-rat preys on fish, frogs, lizards and even small water birds

2-4 years of age