Bush Rat - Australian Museum

ANIMAL SPECIES:Bush Rat

The Bush Rat can be quite difficult to find because of its nocturnal habits and also because it prefers to nest hidden in dense forest.

Identification

A native rat, the Bush Rat is grey-brown in colour with rounded ears and a relatively short tail.

The Bush Rat has the following key features that help to distinguish it from other rats or marsupials:

Front teeth One pair of distinctive chisel shaped incisors with hard yellow enamel on front surfaces.
Head Pointed head.
Ears Conspicuous rounded ears.
Colouring Grey to grey-brown or reddish above, grey or cream below; dense soft fur.

Size range

Body 110 mm - 205 mm, tail 105 mm - 195 mm, weight 65 g - 225 g

Similar Species

Black Rat (Rattus rattus) and the Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Distribution

The Bush Rat is found in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and south-western Western Australia.

Habitat

The Bush Rat lives in forests, woodlands and heath. Bush Rats prefer to live in the dense forest understorey, sheltering in short burrows under logs or rocks and lining their nests with grass. They are not found often in urban areas.

Behaviour and adaptations

Feeding and Diet

The Bush Rat is an omnivore and eats fungi, grasses, fruits, seeds and insects.

Feeding Habit

omnivore

What does this mean?

Classification

Species:: fuscipes
Genus:: Rattus
Family:: Muridae
Order:: Rodentia
Subclass:: Eutheria
Class:: Mammalia
Subphylum:: Vertebrata
Kingdom:: Animalia

What does this mean?

Ondine Evans , Web Researcher/Editor
Last Updated: 14 November 2011

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74 comments

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Mark Eldridge
10.11 AM, 11 November 2011

Hi livelyf2dafull, only the first image came through.

Immature rodents are difficult to identify. Most of the rats encountered around Sydney are the introduced black rat or brown rat. It is only in the bush well away from houses etc that you are likely to encounter a bush rat.

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livelyf2dafull
4.11 PM, 09 November 2011

further images

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livelyf2dafull
4.11 PM, 09 November 2011

I have recently aquired a small rodent from the Ingleburn area as part of my wildlife rescue group. It is an immature and weighs about 37g, but im not sure if it is a bush rat or a black rat? it is grey in colour all over, has a lighter grey abdomen, long skinny tail, almost as long as its body. i have included images to look at.

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Mark Eldridge
3.07 PM, 25 July 2011

Hi wardy,

thanks for the photos; makes the job much easier. Judging by the short rounded ears and short thick tails, I would say these are introduced brown rats (Rattus norvegicus).

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wardy
6.07 PM, 15 July 2011

another youngin

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wardy
6.07 PM, 15 July 2011

an adult of the Leichhardt brood...

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wardy
6.07 PM, 15 July 2011

Hi, same question as everyone else before I take some drastic action... We've had these in our yard in inner city Leichhardt for a few years and they were only ever active/seen at dusk climbing our peppercorn tree on the odd occassion. Recently they have moved under our wood pile and have an extensive burrow system from there to our compost heap. They have started eating our dogs dry food also. They appear to have small roundish ears and a tail shorter than their body, white underbellies and feet. As you can see by the photos they are used to us now and will forage in daylight if they can smell food is about. The adults seem to have a slight reddish tinge about the head. Are they the common black/brown rat or part of the native bush rat regeneration program? I'll throw a few pics up. Cheers!

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wardy
6.07 PM, 15 July 2011

one of the juveniles

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Mark Eldridge
4.06 PM, 22 June 2011

I don't think there is a difference in the arrangement of the reproductive organs and anus between native and introduced rats. In both the penis is located in front of the anus and the scrotum as shown here.

However there is a difference between native marsupials and rats. In marsupials the scrotum is located in front of the penis and both are in front of the anus.

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jenny56
9.06 AM, 16 June 2011

I believe that there is a way to tell by reproductive organs. I forget which way round it is, but we were taught [by National Park ranger] that the way to identify Rattus rattus from native rats is whether there penis is in front [or is it behind] the anus. We had to slide the rat into a very thick plastic bag in order to look.

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Mark Eldridge
4.06 PM, 10 June 2011

hi curlygurly,

if you caught the rat in the garage, then it's more likley to be an introduced rat (black rat or brown rat) as they like to live in or around buildings, whereas the native bush rats rarely come into houses or buildings and prefer to live in native vegetation.

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curlygurly
2.06 PM, 09 June 2011

I have captured a rat in our garage, unfortuantely its tail has been broken in the trap so i can't tell whether its a black or bush rat. A few other things are near white underside, and 3 long back toes seem the same length. I can't seem to get a clear picture through teh cage. Night activity only. i live near Coffs Harbour. Can you help thanks

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Mark Eldridge
11.04 AM, 08 April 2011

Yes, black rats can 'hop' which means that they are sometimes mistaken for native hopping rodents or small marsupials.

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Blizz
3.04 PM, 07 April 2011

Thanks Mark, yes, and some of them hop around too, is that normal for a black rat? Thinking about it now, they look more like black rats to us and seem to be living under some old pieces of timber next door.

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Mark Eldridge
2.04 PM, 04 April 2011

Hi Blizz,

looks like a black rat to me. However, it is hard to be definitive with individuals that are not fully adult.

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Blizz
9.03 AM, 31 March 2011

Hi all, Am spotting quite a few of these around the chook pen here in Blackheath, upper Blue Mountains. A black rat? Check out the Youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0E-5zkdhV0 We do live very close to dense bushland as well. Lindsay - blackheathweather.com

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Mark Eldridge
11.03 AM, 02 March 2011

Hi bsala,

the length of the tail in the photo (ie much longer than the head/body), means that you definitely have an introduced black rat (Rattus rattus).

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bsala
9.02 AM, 23 February 2011

Hello, I have read the notes about light belly and long tail, which this rat has. But its ears are quite round. I have not seen the teeth, but it attacked and bit a twig when it was offered. Again, we don't want to kill the native fauna, but would happily dispatch the introduced ones. I hope the photo is helpful. Can you please help identify> We are near Ballarat on a large bush block, so have lots of wildlife (and now rabbits too!)

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Mark Eldridge
1.02 PM, 14 February 2011

Hi dfarmer,

this looks like an introduced black rat (Rattus rattus). The long tail and ears, as well as the white belly are typical of this species.

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dfarmer
11.02 AM, 11 February 2011

Hi there, I have had something running around my ceiling. I am attaching a picture and was hoping you could identify it. This is one that I found dead on my verandah but I think there may be another one still around.

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Mark Eldridge
4.11 PM, 16 November 2010

Hi sel,

thanks for the photo, it is definitely of an introduced black rat (Rattus rattus). The tail is much longer than the head/body, which is charcateristic of this species. Also the ears are quite long (not short and rounded). The brown body colouration and white underside is also regularly seen in this species - even though their common name suggests they should be darker. In fact black rats are highly variable in colour which makes life confusing for everyone!

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Mark Eldridge
4.11 PM, 16 November 2010

hi billmo,

thanks for the photos. Unfortunately it is difficult to tell from them what species of rat you are dealing with, especially because the individual concerned appears to be a juvenile and so is not fully grown. However from the bottom right photo it does appear that the tail is longer than the head/body which would suggest that you have an introduced black rat (Rattus rattus). Sorry we can't be more definitive. If they are being found around or in your house then the two introduced species (black rat and brown rat (Rattus norvegicus)) are the most likely. The native bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) prefers to stay in areas of native vegetation.

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Mark Eldridge
4.11 PM, 16 November 2010

Hi matt,

this one is most likely an introduced black rat (Rattus rattus) too. The tail and ears are quite long but its a bit hard to be definite from the photo. Their behaviour sounds very typical of black rats. Bush rats are rarely active around people's houses and being more reserved in their behaviour are infrequently seen.

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Matt_68
5.11 PM, 08 November 2010

Hi folks. I have one, or possibly two, rats living at my place in suburban Newcastle. I haven't seen two together, but the colouring suggests I've seen two different rats. My house backs onto a bush reserve. The rat(s) had been helping themselves to the contents of my compost bin for some weeks or months until I blocked their access on the weekend. Now I am seeing it/them fossicking every day. It is/they are quite brazen - allowing me to get quite close before scurrying away. Attached is the best photo I could get with my iPhone. Can anyone please tell me if this is a native bush rat or an introduced pest? Thanks, Matt.

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sel_darkroom
1.11 PM, 05 November 2010

I've been reading everyone's comments, identification info and looking at all the pics and still can't tell what we have. I found one of the culprits this morning dead on the verandah (not sure what from) and thought it was the perfect opportunity to take some quick photos. I hope these help someone to identify it for me. Note his two front teeth were a dark yellow - it doesn't show up too well in the pic.

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billmo
4.10 PM, 29 October 2010

Hi, can anyone confirm that the rats we've been catching are bush rats or other. I'd hate to be killing the native ones.

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cooby
10.09 PM, 11 September 2010

Thank you very much. I was worried because it turns out I'm near the protected reserve at Murdoch. I feel better :) I got the tree name wrong, it's not a Jacaranda it's an enormous Cape Lilac (the one with all those annoying berries) but can't cut it down because half a dozen times this year some red-tailed black cockatoos spent all day eating it :) I hope they come back to the tree next year MINUS the nasty black rats! Thanks again for the help and the great website.

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Mark Eldridge
8.09 AM, 08 September 2010

Hi cooby,

I am pretty sure you are dealing with the introduced black rat (Rattus rattus). The ears of the dead one in the first photo (5th Sept) are too long and not rounded enough to be a bush rat. And the tail of the dead one in the last photo (7th Sept) is clearly longer than the head-body , which is characteristic of the black rat. Also bush rats very rarely live around people and their buildings, they much prefer the bush, and they don't climb that well or often unlike black rats which are expert climbers. Bush rats don't have white undersides (like the one in the 5th Sept photo) while some black rats do. Bush rats and black rats do smell different (i don't know about there urine though...) and experts only need to sniff a trap to know which species they have caught.

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cooby
3.09 PM, 07 September 2010

Photos of its teeth. Sorry for taking over the comments section people.

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cooby
3.09 PM, 07 September 2010

So I went back today and burrow, although rebuilt, is empty. The pinkies have disappeared! So I removed all of the tin and I found two dead ones that I think died last year when I put the tin down with the baiting. One of them is perfectly laid out. It is 25cm long tip to tail. It also has fur on the tail? The other one is curled up so I can't tell how long it is, but seems to be a darker colour and not so much hair on the tail but that may be due to decay. The teeth are yellow and very pointy top and bottom. I can send heaps more photos to someone who knows or wants more info. The first dead one after the baiting was out in the open and didn't seem to have hair on its tail. I'm sure I would've noticed! I'm in 6163, WA next to undeveloped land, certainly old and untouched block opposite bush but not really rural (according to planning people). Someone please tell me I haven't murdered native things :( I really thought they were just pest rats or big mice.

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cooby
9.09 PM, 05 September 2010

one more photo... at night

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cooby
9.09 PM, 05 September 2010

I don't know if you can tell if they're native or not when they're pink?

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cooby
9.09 PM, 05 September 2010

My first photo and massive comment didn't seem to take... So I'll recap. A year ago I moved into a vacant property with these things eating the Jacaranda tree and there was a shallow burrow in the natural mulch along side. They move and eat at night and today I found five wee pinkies by accident under some tin. The pest control guy said they weren't normal rats. Apparently their pee smells different??? He also said native rats have pink feet, white underbellies and round ears. Unfortunately I baited two or three before he said that. So this pic is of a dead one from last year. There were at least 6 of them until I got a cat. If someone could tell me if these are native or not? I've left the pinkies alone until I can determine...

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cooby
9.09 PM, 05 September 2010

Another photo as it seems the tail is important!

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Mark Eldridge
3.08 PM, 24 August 2010

Hi denton,

both the introduced black (R. rattus) and brown rat (R. norvegicus) will occupy burrows. The brown rat in particular is quite gregarious and makes and occupies extensive burrow systems. Brown rats are usually only found quite close to cities and towns.

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Mark Eldridge
3.08 PM, 24 August 2010

Hi Christine, unfortunately it would be most unlikely that you have a bush rat (R. fuscipes) at Bexley. We have not had any confirmed reports of bush rats from suburban Sydney for many years now. However both the introduced black rat (R. rattus) and brown (or Norway) rat (R. norvegicus) are very common throughout Sydney. Your description does sound more like a black rat to me, which (despite their name) are often light reddish brown with a pale or even white underside. They can look quite attractive. However, without seeing a good photograph it is hard to be definitive.

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christineahearn
9.08 PM, 11 August 2010

I think we have a bush rat living at our place in suburban Bexley, Sydney. He is nocturnal, shy, has nice glossy coat of light reddish brown with white underbelly. Sweet face. I've never seen a sweet face on a black rat. And his tail doesn't seem as long, scaley and sinister as a black rat. I've clobbered plenty of black rats but this wee chap fails to incite my rodent rage. He's been here for 3 years, spotted around 10 times, usually late evening. Could a bush rat be living in an urban area? Our place is quiet with lots of trees. We also have a family of blue-tongue lizards.

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denton
2.07 PM, 09 July 2010

I live on the Morington Peninsula. On the clifftops overlooking the beaches and on my property there are lots of places where there are extensive networks of tunnels. They are small, 60 mm round, just under the ground cover or just under the soil by 0.5 to 1cm. I see what I think are black rats occasionally come out of these. But I have never read of them making such networks of tunnels. And they are extensive. Ranging over 20 metres. Can you tell me anything about these tunnels and what may be making them?

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Diavma
6.06 PM, 01 June 2010

hahaha Oh my!! 2 types? And still not a native... I will keep my eyes out and camera ready for a thinner tail. You never know, after all, They do say "third time lucky" Thanks for the info and names, much appreciated. ...Di

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Mark Eldridge
8.06 AM, 01 June 2010

Hi Diavma, well done of getting the photos! I love the action shots. I have shown the photos to a couple of small mammal experts and the consensus is that these three shots are most likely of an introduced brown (or Norway) rat ( Rattus norvegicus). The tail is too short to be a black rat (Rattus rattus) but too thick to be a bush rat (Rattus fuscipes). The short ears and solid build of this beast is also typical of the brown rat. Sorry to not have better news for you.

The photo you posted below, on the 24th Feb, is definitely a black rat though, so looks like you have 2 species.

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Diavma
11.05 AM, 26 May 2010

After 4 months I managed to get photos of the rats tails... not the greatest images but hopefully sufficient. These guys come out of tunnels around dusk to grab up seeds. We still have our romantic little fingers crossed you might say native.... but I think that is hopeful.

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Ondine Evans
10.05 AM, 25 May 2010

Hi, jvchifi. We cannot advise on pest control methods - you might need to contact your local wildlife rescue people if you think these are native rats, as they would have advice on humane trapping and would probably also have some knowledge of the local wildlife in your area.

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jvchifi
12.05 PM, 24 May 2010

Hi I have native rats in my house. I think my cats are bringing them inside. Local vet identified the last one that I managed to rescue. Where would they be coming from? I live in Williamstown VIC close to beach and marine wetlands. I have one in my bedroom - how can I catch him? Thanks- Kerri

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Ondine Evans
12.04 PM, 23 April 2010

@4wsboy: without seeing a pic, we can't tell you much, but from your description of their behaviour and location it is probably more likely that your rats are going to be the introduced Black Rats. However, take a look at our Is it a Rat? page and the associated images for more information, plus if you do get a pic, send it to us via our scientific enquiries contact form.

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4wsboy
10.04 PM, 22 April 2010

I believe I have natives Rats in my Collaroy Plateau garden, especially if they like Cocos Palm Fruit and climb very well. Last year I thought I'd catch a small rat like creature in a towel but it Hopped away on back legs..! Marsupial.. Rare on Northern Beaches or not?. Thanks Steve

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Mark Eldridge
3.03 PM, 16 March 2010

Hi hutty, the first photo also looks like a black rat, but without a good view of the tail it is hard to be definitive. Generally black rats have longer ears and bush rats shorter more rounded ears, but ear shape is not always a reliable character as young black rats have quite rounded ears too. The tail length is the best way to identify them. In Australia any rat with a tail significantly longer than the head/body length will be a black rat. Also any rat caught around houses in towns or cities like Sydney, even in bushy areas, is much more likely to be the introduced black rat rather than a bush rat.

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hutty
11.03 PM, 12 March 2010

But the first photo (the alive one) shows it has round ears? I have caught several in a wire trap and then released them in Warringah. They are all the same with a long black rat looking tail but then have round ears. Are they some sort of crossbreed??

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Mark Eldridge
8.03 AM, 10 March 2010

Hi Diavma, this is a helpful photo as it shows you have an introduced black rat (Rattus rattus), since the tail is significantly longer than the length of the head and body. In the native bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) the tail is about the same length as the head and body.

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Diavma
1.02 PM, 24 February 2010

The articles were good to read. I managed to get photo of tail (unfortunate for this one it was found dead).

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Ondine Evans
11.01 AM, 04 January 2010

This article from the Sydney Morning Herald is quite interesting. It is about how Bush Rats actually can push Black Rats out of an area if they gain enough of a foothold. The original media release from Mosman Council is also available, with some pics of the two rats plus a ringtail possum for comparison.

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Diavma
10.01 PM, 03 January 2010

Hi Ondine, thanks for the response. I had read the link you referred to and have been trying to capture photos that show the tail but so far no luck, they are fast moving. I have seen the tail in comparison and it is approx the length of the body. They are fairly timid, currently there seems to be 3 distinct sizes residing together.

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Ondine Evans
9.01 AM, 03 January 2010

Hi Diavma - our page called Is it a Rat? lists a series of points that may help you discern whether your rat is an introduced or native species. While your photo is great, it is hard to tell as I can't see the tail (comparative length is important) and colour is not a good identification factor. Have a look at the page I mentioned and perhaps get another photo with the tail clearly visible, if you can!

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Diavma
2.01 PM, 02 January 2010

I have been trying to identify this rodent for a while now. Is it an Aussie native rat??? (see attached image file). We live in farming area and we have a breeding pair in burrows under a small pond in our yard. They have been there for years and raised multiple litters but never offer to venture indoors. Im thinking they look more like the photo of the bush rat than the black rat, am I correct???

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Ondine Evans
1.07 PM, 07 July 2009

Thankyou, billyhill, for pointing out that bats are not rodents - you are quite right! And, Monkey, it is interesting to hear your observations about recently cleared lands and the possibility that native rodents may be foraging in or near houses. This is why your method of humane trapping is the best idea if you wish to avoid harming small, native mammals.

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Monkey
3.07 PM, 05 July 2009

I always use humane traps to capture rodents in the home and while almost half of the rats I capture are Rattus Rattus, many look far more like this species and some are different again. The ones that I believe to be Rattus Fuscipes sometimes make a grunting noise when aggitated. It's an unusual sound to hear from a rodent. They are very distinct in appearance when compared to Rattus Rattus or Rattus Norvegicus. There has recently been an extremely large amount of dry eucalypt forest and dense bushland cleared for the development of several new suburbs in my area which may be part of why they are forced to search for food in a semi-suburban area.

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billyhill
4.07 PM, 04 July 2009

Peppercorn I must disagree with you bats may resemble rodents but they most certainly are not they are in the order of Chiroptera whilst rodents are in the order of Rodentia.

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peppercorn
1.07 PM, 04 July 2009

Odine thank you for your previous comment on the ghost bat however i would like to inform you that these species of rodents have less distinguished large ears than bats because their not as round or wide in disc shaped as rodents are.