Rare native broad-tooted rats found in Otways

A CHUBBY-CHEEKED rare native species of rodent has been found in record numbers in the Otways.

As part of the federal government’s Wild Otways initiative, ecologists from Barbara Wilson Pty Ltd and researchers from Zoos Australia recently discovered a large colony of threatened broad-toothed rats.

The broad-toothed rat is one of 50 native rodent species in Australia.

The rodent has fluffy round ears, chubby cheeks, chocolate-coloured fur and lacks the generic ‘ratty’ smell.

They are regarded as important for local ecosystems due to their ability to chew through grasses and sedges, creating protected tunnel systems used by snakes, lizards and other native mammals.

The species were also recently discovered near Healesville Sanctuary by the Zoos Victoria’s Wildlife Detection Dog Squad.

Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) manager of environmental programs Jessica Miller said knowing where threatened species occur gives land managers the best chance of protecting and enhancing their habitat.

“The distribution of broad-toothed rats has been shared amongst land managers of the region and will help guide planned burning operations, predator management and revegetation projects.

“This is an exciting finding for our region.”

Alongside CCMA, the Barbara Wilson Pty Ltd environmental group has created an Otway-specific management plan for the broad-toothed rat and five other native mammals.

This can be found on the Wild Otways Initiative web portal, via Otways.ccma.vic.gov.au