Mammals
Rakali
Hydromys chrysogaster · also called Australian water-rat, golden-bellied water rat
Slipping into a quiet Australian creek at dusk, a rakali glides through the water with only its head and white-tipped tail showing, then dives for a freshwater crayfish.
Overview
The rakali, Hydromys chrysogaster, is a Least Concern semi-aquatic rodent native to Australia and New Guinea. Its webbed feet, waterproof coat, and appetite for crayfish and mussels make it one of the continent’s most accomplished native swimmers.
A rodent that hunts in the water
Unlike the plant-eating rodents it is often compared with, the rakali is a predator of the water’s edge, leaving shell piles at its favourite feeding spots.
Status
Least Concern, widespread, though some regional populations have declined.
Rakali: common questions
What does rakali mean?
Rakali is an Aboriginal word, increasingly used in place of the older name water-rat.
What does the rakali eat?
It hunts freshwater crayfish, mussels, fish, frogs, and insects, and sometimes birds.
How can you recognise a rakali?
It has webbed hind feet, dense waterproof fur, and a long, dark tail that is usually tipped with white.
Where is the rakali found?
It lives along rivers, lakes, wetlands, and estuaries across Australia, including Tasmania, and in New Guinea.