<
https://theconversation.com/australias-rat-uprising-footage-provides-first-evidence-of-native-rakali-attacking-introduced-black-rat-261559>
"An introduced black rat scratches through leaf litter, looking for food.
Nearby, a native water rat watches on, its beady eyes shining. The native rat
pounces out from the shadows, sending the invader fleeing.
The encounter in Sydney bushland, captured on video, is the first documented
evidence of an aggressive interaction in nature between a native water rat,
also known as rakali, and a black rat.
The footage, discussed in our new research, provides proof that rakali
(
Hydromys chrysogaster) actively hunt introduced black rats (
Rattus
rattus). This behaviour may offer a promising natural form of pest control.
Rakali are carnivorous rodents, and the largest of Australia’s 60 native rat
species. Our findings suggest efforts to conserve the rakali should include
Australia’s urban environments, where introduced rats cause a host of
problems."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
