Plains rat
Common name: Plains rat
Scientific name: Pseudomys australis
Conservation status: The plains rat is 'Endangered' in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and 'Vulnerable' nationally (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Description: The plains rat has a body length of between 10cm and 14cm and weighs on average 65g. It is grey to grey-brown above, white or cream below with relatively large ears.
Habitat and distribution: Populations of the plains rat were once found on the on the western edge of the Nullarbor Plain to the inland slopes of the Great Dividing Range; central Queensland and at the mouth of the Murray River. The plains rat is now restricted to the gibber plains of the Lake Eyre basin.
The habitat it occupies is gibber plains (flat desert covered with boulders and small stones) with cracking clay depressions supporting perennial open shrubland.
Behaviour and life history: This species forages and is active during the cool of night. The plains rat constructs shallow, complex burrow systems that are dug into the gibber or the softer soil around the bases of shrubs. It is likely that the rat eats predominantly seeds, supplemented with vegetable matter and insects. It is able to survive without drinking, as water is obtained from the metabolism of starches in its food.
Little is known about the plains rat's breeding but it is thought that breeding only occurs following heavy rain. Litter size is usually three to four but can be up to seven. Young are ready to leave the nest 28 days after birth.
Threatening processes: The decline in this species is p robably due to the impacts of introduced stock and rabbits on vegetation. Foxes may also take a number of these rodents.
Recovery actions:
- Undertake surveys and population studies to determine species distribution, habitat requirements, reproductive biology, social organisation and potential threats and limiting factors.
- It is only protected in one area therefore additional conservation reserves may be required.
- Management of domestic stock is required as these can seriously disrupt the rat's habitat.
Further information:
Watts, C.H. (1995) 'Plains rat' in The Mammals of Australia (ed. R. Strahan) Australian Museum and Reed New Holland, Sydney.
Last updated: 31 August 2006