Rattus lutreolus
Australian swamp rat

This species is common over a wide area of south-eastern Australia. One subspecies is also found on the north-eastern cosat (Strahan 1995).

Rattus lutreolus prefers poorly drained habitats, heathland, and sedges. This species has also been found on dry ridges in open forest. Density of vegetation seems to be the most important requirement of this species. This is most likely a result of selection for evasion of avian predators, or perhaps because food is more abundant in dense habitats. Habitat selection by females is most likey related to the amount of energy required for reproduction. Members of this species can survive without free water (Haering and Fox 1995, Monamy 1995, Strahan 1995).

Head and body length of this species ranges from 122mm to 197mm and the tail length is an additional 56-147mm. Rattus lutreolus is dark gray or gray brown on its dorsal surfaces and cream to brown on its ventral surface. The fur on the upper half of the body is golden-tipped. Its ears are small and nearly concealed by hair. The tail is dark gray, scaly and sparsely haired (Strahan 1995).

Not much is known about the social systems of this species. Females are aggressive toward males. Females maintain territories in spring and males wander until winter. At that time males maintain a territory of their own in order to survive the winter (Monamy 1995, Strahan 1995).

Stems and leaves are the main foods eaten by R. lutreolus. In spring and early summer, their diet expands to include seeds, fleshy fruits, and insects. Roots and underground fungi are also consumed by R. lutreolus (Cheal 1987, Norton 1987).

The swamp rat was hunted by Aborigines prior to European settlement and provided a significant source of meat;however, this hunting pressure no longer exists (Strahan 1995).

Rattus lutreolus is common throughout its limited range. Most of its original habitat has now been farmed and made unsuitable for this species (Strahan 1995).