Australia is home to many cute little mammals, and one of our favourites is the native Bush Rat. The word ‘rat’ can sometimes lead to feelings of disgust or fear, but Bush Rat are very different to introduced Black and Brown Rats.
Where do they live?
Bush Rats are very shy and prefer to nest in hidden spots in forests and heathlands. They avoid humans and man-made structures like houses and restaurants, unlike the invasive black rats that you see running around at night near bins and other places where food scraps occur.
What do they eat?
Bush Rats are nocturnal and omnivorous, so they love to snack at night on grasses, fruits, seeds, insects, and fungi. This is to try and avoid becoming a meal for predators like foxes, cats, owls, and snakes.
What do they look like?
Compared with pest rats, Bush Rats have rounder faces, blunt noses, and are rarely seen outside bushland areas. Their thick, soft grey-brown fur, pink feet, and large shiny eyes make them easy to spot once you know what to look for. One of the best ways to tell them apart from introduced rats is by the tail. Bush Rats have a shorter, almost hairless tail, while introduced rats have long, sparsely haired tails. Bush rats typically weigh about as much as a deck of cards but can grow as large as an apple. Males are larger than females.
How can you support Bush Rats?
- Keeping pets indoors, especially at night: Cat and dog attacks are one of the largest threats to native wildlife.
- If you spot an injured Bush Rat, contact a rescue group like Sydney Wildlife (9413 4300) or WIRES (1300 094 737).
- Create a backyard sanctuary: Turn your garden into a safe refuge for local wildlife by planting native shrubs and ground covers that offer food and shelter. For practical tips, see Backyard Habitat.
- Leave bushrock and debris where it is. Small mammals like Bush Rats require bush rock, logs, and leaf litter for habitat.
- Join a local Bushcare group: Participate in supervised bush regeneration to help restore habitat.
- Avoid poison rat baits and sticky traps: These cause suffering to native wildlife and can harm predators that eat poisoned rodents. For advice on better alternatives, visit this website.
Fun facts
- Healthy Bush Rat populations can actually keep out invasive species like Black Rats. For example, a reintroduction program at North Head in Manly showed that Bush Rats were able to push back against Black Rats because they’re stronger when it comes to defending their territory.
- Mums usually have their babies around November and can have up to four or five pups in one litter.
Photo by A Roncolato.