Rakali facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Rakali |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
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| Genus: |
Hydromys
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| Species: |
H. chrysogaster
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| Binomial name | |
| Hydromys chrysogaster Geoffroy, 1804
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| Distribution of the Water Rat | |
Hydromys chrysogaster, also known as Rakali or Water-rat, is an Australian native rodent. The species lives in burrows on the banks of rivers, lakes and estuaries. It feeds on aquatic insects, fish, crustaceans, mussels, snails, frogs, birds' eggs and water birds. Rakali are 231–370 millimetres (9.1–14.6 in) in length with a thick tail measuring around 242–345 millimetres (9.5–13.6 in). They weigh 340–1,275 grams (0.750–2.811 lb). They have webbed hind legs, waterproof fur, a flattened head, a long blunt nose, many whiskers and small ears and eyes. They are black to brown in colour with an orange to white belly, and dark tail with a white tip.
Common names
Until the 1980s, this species was commonly known as Water-rat. During the 1990s there was a push for English common names to be replaced with indigenous names. In 1995 the Australian Nature Conservation Agency recommended that the name Rakali be used as the common name. The Australian Department of Environment and Heritage has taken up this suggestion and both common names are now used.
| Indigenous name | Linguistic group or area |
|---|---|
| Ayam | Miyanmin |
| Bud-bud | Ngarigu |
| Dalgan | Djubugay |
| Dhulurryamba | East Arnhem |
| Djinnjokma | Daly River |
| Durrgin | Guugudic |
| Galiba:y | Yawaalaraay |
| Guma:y | Yawaalaraay |
| Gurrumu | Yolngu |
| Jawurrk | Kamu |
| Kal | Wik-Mungkan |
| Kathi thukathayini | Innamincka |
| Kirnrti | Kalkatungu |
| Kumbuna | Nyikina, Kayardild |
| Mamgericht | Nyungor |
| Minha watha | Kugu Nganhcara |
| Moinah | Tasmania |
| Moo'nyp | Wik-Ngathana |
| Mu-mun | Murrinh |
| Mulundarru | Upper Barcoo |
| Murit-ya | Nyungar |
| Muuruung | Kuurnkopan |
| Namurr | Yanyuwa |
| Ngaljatbil | Jawoyn |
| Ngoor-joo, Ngurju | Nyungar |
| Ngwir-ri-gin | King George Sound |
| Njimba'rrolbumbu | Mayali, Gunwinjku |
| Nurn | Warray |
| Otol | Gnog |
| Pikun | Ngiyampaa |
| Pikunra | Kalkatungu |
| Pwampungini | Tiwi |
| Rakali | Murray River |
| Rekaldi | Ngarrindjeri |
| Renah | Tasmania |
| Riyariyangkanu | Yanyuwa |
| Thaargh | Kurtjar |
| Wambu | Wunambal |
| Wamp-wamp | Nyungar |
| Wampi | Ungaringyin |
| Wapu-nu | Gupaguyngu |
| Wapun-u | Yolngu |
| Wardunda | Kayardild, Nyikina |
| Warunu | East Arnhem |
| Wath | Wik-Mungkan |
| Wirrkup | Maung |
| Wubui | Yidiny |
| Wungujang wara | Nunggubuyu |
| Wurriyangkirraburna | Groote Eylandt |
| Yanjuna | Wanyi |
| Yerr-ek | Wada wurrung |
| Yirrku | Gagadju |
| Yurru | Mangarrayi |
Images for kids
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Hydromys chrysogaster
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Rakali at the St Kilda Breakwater
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Rear view showing white-tipped tail
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Habitat: Rakali swimming in a creek
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Helminth: various species of worms that infest water rats
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Yabbies: most common food source
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Rakali: infant water rat
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