From: Martin on 03/19/2002 11:15 AM
To:
cc:
Subject: Bush Rat at birdbath - Sorrento (Vic.)
Further to Val Ford's posting on a rat at her bird bath.
I have spoken to colleague Peter Menkhorst (of 'Field Guide to Australian
Mammals' fame) and he has offered the following thoughts.
'(I) cannot say from the details provided, but Bush Rats (Rattus fuscipes) are
very sensitive to disturbance - they do not occur in gardens anywhere in greater
Melbourne. Therefore, I suggest that it was most probably a Black Rat Rattus
rattus which are common in gardens throughout greater Melbourne. It may have
eaten 'rat-sack' or similar (poison) - I seem to recall that it makes them very
thirsty.'
cheers
Martin O'Brien
Executive Scientific Officer, Scientific Advisory Committee
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
4/250 Victoria Pde., East Melbourne 3002
Tel: 9412 4567 Fax: 9412 4586
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