Nothing beats the #rakali, Australia's mighty native water rat
https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-16/australian-water-rat-rakali-science-week-underrated-animal-win/105648072

"Whether it's hunting invasive pests or rolling in a river like an otter, there's a lot to love about the rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster). The nation's biggest rodent is perhaps its most resourceful having adapted to urban, mountainous and coastal habitats around the country. All these traits and more have seen the rakali crowned the nation's most underrated animal"

Rakali, Australia's mighty native water rat

"...One third of the country's 60 rodent species going extinct or suffering massive reductions since European colonisation.

One of the key threats to rakali is being entangled in fishing line and nets, so you can actually report sightings of illegal fishing nets to CRIMFISH, or there are other authorities within your state...They are also predated on by dogs, cats and foxes, so the recommendations are to try and keep cats and dogs away from waterways where rakalis could be... it was important to ensure cars drive slowly around rakali habitats, particularly at night when it's harder to see and more rakalis are out and about. "

Extinction of Australian flora and fauna. It's always the same: Habitat erasure and extractive activities. Add roads, cars, pets, dogs, cats, foxes, weeds and dump the unwanted.
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https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2025-08-16/australian-water-rat-rakali-science-week-underrated-animal-win/105648072
#Rakali #wildlife #biodiversity #pets #cars

Australia's most underrated animals 2025 - #ScienceWeek

#1 #Rakali🐀

#2 Palm #cockatoo🐦

#3 Giant #cuttlefish🐟

#4 #Dugong

#5 Marsupial #mole🕳️

#6 Turtle #frog🐸

#7 Velvet #worm🪱

#8 Great desert #skink🦎

#9 Ghost #bat🦇

#10 Short-finned #eel

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-08-15/wildlife-blog-15-august-2025/105651126

#wildlife

Incredible #Australian footage reveals new predator killing city rats https://au.news.yahoo.com/incredible-australian-footage-reveals-new-predator-killing-city-rats-062000151.html

Invasive species cost $360 billion a year. This fierce predator could help in the fight to stop them.

#Rakali #NativeAnimals #Australia

Go Rakali go!

First evidence of native rakali attacking introduced black rat. Native rodents can help control pest rodents. >>
https://theconversation.com/australias-rat-uprising-footage-provides-first-evidence-of-native-rakali-attacking-introduced-black-rat-261559
#rakali #wildlife #birds #rodents #rats #pests #toxins

Not new, but still brilliant. Nature adapts — and fast. Australia’s native water rats, also known as #rakali have figured out how to safely eat deadly #canetoads by surgically removing and feasting only on their hearts.
#nature #adaptation #australia #evasivespecies

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/oct/26/australian-water-rats-cut-cane-toads-open-with-surgical-precision-to-feast-on-their-hearts

#JerrabomberraWetlands, #Canberra this afternoon.

There were two (apparently young) #Rakali (water rats) presenting very nicely in the drainage ditch.

A mass of Australian White #Pelicans

Australasian Little #Grebe

Freckled #Duck

#birds