Rat-tastic

Norway rat Rattus norvegicus(above)

Ship rat Rattus rattus

Well, straight back from holiday and straight into measuring rats' tails. I've almost missed that squeamish feeling I still get when I touch their scaly-hairy-satanic appendages.

As you probably know, rats (specifically Norway rats) have invaded the Ulva Island Bird Sanctuary in Patterson Inlet, Stewy Island. DOC is keen to take genetic samples from rats in Bluff and on mainland Stewart Island to compare the genes with those caught on Ulva Island to try and get an idea where the rats are coming from. Before you scoff (as I did) they aren't suggesting that a rat could swim over Foveaux Strait to Ulva Is (if he did he'd deserve a DB), but rather that they may've boat hopped over there from our fine town. The trouble is, none of us have caught a Norway rat on Bluff Hill.

Here's the main differences...

• Ship rats have bigger ears and are generally 'cleaner more elegant' looking.
• The tail of a Norway rat is short compared to that of a Ship rat.
• Norway rats are generally found in places near water, they are very good swimmers.
• Ship rats are generally found in the bush and are good climbers.
• Norways can weigh up to half a kilo, but are usually up to 300 grams, Ship rats are usually half that.

The most failsafe way to tell is to drag a (dead) rat's tail back over its body and if the tail is definitely longer than the whole body it's a Ship rat, if it's shorter it could be a Norway. And no, they don't squeak in a funny accent or have funny spiky helmets (thankyou Ted).

Keep an eye out.