Water Rat

Water Rats (Hydromys chrysogaster) are unusual rodents because of their aquatic lifestyle. They have small eyes and ears, large webbed hind feet and soft, waterproof fur. They are excellent swimmers and divers and are most active at night. Water Rats spend the day sheltering in burrows dug in river and lake banks. Unlike most other rats, they are predators and are particularly partial to aquatic prey. They find most of their food underwater, and feed on crabs, crayfish, frogs, small turtles, mussels, young birds and large insects.