Rakali (Australian Water Rat) Hydromys chrysogaster

The Australian Water Rat is now called more by its aboriginal name of Rakali to move away from the negative connotation of rat. It is native to Australia and Papua/Papua New Guinea.

The Rakali has thick, waterproof fur, dark on top and honey golden on the underside. It was hunted extensively for its fur. The long, fur-covered tail is black with a white tip.

The Rakali is mainly nocturnal. These photos were taken in the dark and lightened with photo software (not flash lighting). It lives by water and swims well. Normally eating crustaceans and small fish, it is one of the few mammals that is not poisoned by predating invasive Cane Toads. It has learnt to flip the toad over before biting, to avoid the poison glands on the back of the neck.