Australian Swamp Rat
Rattus lutreolus prefers poorly drained habitats, heath land, and sedges. This species has also been found on dry ridges in open forest. Density of vegetation seems to be the most important requirement of this species. This is most likely a result of selection for evasion of avian predators, or perhaps because food is more abundant in dense habitats. Habitat selection by females is most likely related to the amount of energy required for reproduction. Members of this species can survive without free water.
Australian swamp rat
Head and body length of this species ranges from 122mm to 197mm and the tail length is an additional 56-147mm. Rattus lutreolus is dark gray or gray brown on its dorsal surfaces and cream to brown on its ventral surface. The fur on the upper half of the body is golden-tipped. Its ears are small and nearly concealed by hair. The tail is dark gray, scaly and sparsely haired. This species is common over a wide area of south-eastern Australia. One subspecies is also found on the north-eastern coast.
Reproduction
The breeding season is generally from early spring to autumn, but breeding can occur throughout the year. The gestation period is three weeks and the female gives birth to three to five young, each weighing approximately 5 grams. A female may produce several litters in a year and a three month old female from an early spring litter may be reproductively active that same year. Females are usually aggressive toward males except during mating.
Behavior
Not much is known about the social systems of this species. Females are aggressive toward males. Females maintain territories in spring and males wander until winter. At that time males maintain a territory of their own in order to survive the winter.
Food Habits
Stems and leaves are the main foods eaten by R. lutreolus. In spring and early summer, their diet expands to include seeds, fleshy fruits, and insects. Roots and underground fungi are also consumed by R. lutreolus.
