Rakali

Native water rat
Hydromys chysogaster

This native water-loving marsupial has long been associated with Korndiny Karla Boodja, or Bennett Brook, which flows between Mussel Pool and the Swan River. Despite their name, they are much more otter-like than rat-like and can be easily distinguished by their short faces and extra-long tail that ends in a distinctive white tip.

In recent years, there has been widely-adopted push to rename the water rats to 'rakali', which is the name given to the animal by the Ngarrindjeri aboriginal people of South Australia.

The rakali is Australia’s largest native rodent and is a top order predator in the food chain along the brook. They feed on the small, native mussels that are prolific in the area along with aquatic insects, frogs and eggs.

These amphibious mammals are a key indicator of a healthy wetland system. Threats include habitat loss, increasing salinity levels, water pollution and predation from introduced predators, particularly cats and foxes.

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