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is it something sweet, or do I smell a rat

20 years ago

I posted this elsewhere

http://www.au.gardenweb.com/forums/load/ozgard/msg050552301161.html

but have since managed to get a poor shot of my nocturnal banana-pinching thing.

Could it be some dear form of wildlife or is it a fat banana-stealing rat.

Image link:

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Comments (10)

sarah1
20 years ago
Looks like a pesky rat to me!
gardenlen
20 years ago
g'day alison,

mmm not sure about that just quiet doesn't look like a ratus critter, the nose and ears just don't look quiet like they should? but i could be wrong? just i reckon if it was a rat it wouldn't be posing for a photo'.

do a search for bush rats or any aussie rats and compare the pic's, if you contact the wildlife folk online and send the pic' they will i'd it positively for you.

me still dunno doesn't remind me of the rats i dealt with in rural.

keep us informed

len

Here is a link that might be useful: lens garden page
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Thanks everyone for your advice! I set out a simple bucket trap last night but all I did was give the raccoons some free peanut butter. I need better traps but I wanted to try my luck with what I had around. In the spring I had to dig out all my beds and place wooden bottoms on them due to invading tree roots (it's been a fun year in the garden....) so I don't think it's gophers, I've never seen one or any evidence of them in the yard. Maybe voles, but once again, never seen them. The main problem I have with trapping as a solution is I don't think it will be very effective. The yard next door is an unused overgrown mess. The yard on the other side is only slightly better, any they have ivy to give critters hiding places. Beyond this, our fig tree is still loaded with figs, so they also have a steady supply of food. Excellent for breeding :/ Thus my initial decision to just cage my veggies and just keep everything out. Seemed like the simplest solution to the problem! I was surprised (and bummed) someone was still getting in, but I'm going to agree with Dan and say it might be mice. I've never seen mice in the yard but I just can't figure out who else could slide their bodies in. There just isn't another way in except through the hex chicken wire. I will get some more traps this weekend and see what I come up with. Even with knowing who the culprit is, I'm going to have to do something to keep them out. I can change the chicken wire for hardware cloth, but not sure if I should use 1/2" or 1/4" grid. Not looking forward to the extra expense or work...
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User
20 years ago
Maybe its someones pet Rat that has escaped and is not camera or people shy..

Some animals are like that.
A couple of our dogs used to pose as soon as they seen you with a camera.
User
20 years ago
Alison,

It is not an Antechinus, because your little critter hasn't got a pointy enough nose.

If it is a native bush rat, it's tail will be shorter than it's body length.

Hope that helps,
Cheers,
Dee.
annie_____
20 years ago
sorta looks too cute to be a rat, hmmm?
lomatia
20 years ago
RAT!!!!! (I once caught young twins in the same trap)
alisonoz_gw
Original Author
20 years ago
Oh, rats.
Dee, it has a long tail, longer than it's body. Like Annie though, I thought it looked too cute. And like Len, I thought it just didn't look quite right, full and slightly shorter face and bigger ears.
But it was back tonight, same spot in the wisteria vine.
John please come and bait my traps then, *something* has gotten into the house and is sporadically munching on the fruit-bowl,but my brand of peanut butter is not to it's taste and no catches!. I hope it's not the fatty outdoors, as I cannot figure how it could get into the house. And why the DOG isn't earning her keep!
aeor
20 years ago
oooh... but it looks like a baby possum to me. I saw one last night on my fence and I thought immediately of your photo!
A
aeor
20 years ago
It's the eyes. They look nice and big.
alisonoz_gw
Original Author
20 years ago
Yes I am afraid it is a rat, just a nicer looking one than I am usd. to. They must be using the wisteria vine as a sort of aerial boardwalk from garden to roof. One got into the kitchen from a tiny crack between ceiling and brick wall, I saw it disappear!!! Traps undisturbed, it polished off a passionfruit and half an orange in the fruit-bowl last night. The war is on.

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