Native Water Animal Rakali Found in Melbourne's Waterways

By Sean McDonald

Topic: Animals

Rakali are important native animals in Australian water. They help keep the water clean.

In short:

A new project from the University of Melbourne has found over 700 rakali in Melbourne.

The rakali is a native animal that is doing well in Melbourne's water.

What's next?

If you see a rakali, tell the Australian Platypus Conservancy.

A native water animal is thriving in Melbourne's waterways.

A University of Melbourne project found over 700 rakali in Melbourne.

There are many rakali in Melbourne's water.

Rakali are hard to track because they are good at hiding.

The new data shows rakali are good at living in the city.

Rakali live in drains, fountains, and rivers.

No average rat

Rakali look like rats, but they are different.

Rakali have white tails and golden bellies.

Rakali were named Australia's most underrated animal.

People used to think rakali were just rats.

The name 'rakali' was chosen to help people see them as different from rats.

There are many native rat species in Australia.

The name 'rakali' comes from the Ngarrindjeri people.

Rakali help the city by eating other rats.

Rakali can eat toxic animals that other animals can't.

Rakali are good at taking down other rats.

Rakali have special fur and feet that help them swim.

Rakali are strong swimmers.

Ferocious hunter with table manners

Rakali eat what they can find.

Rakali live with penguins at the St Kilda breakwater.

Rakali mostly eat fish and crustaceans.

Rakali are clean animals.

Rakali don't raid houses.

Rakali eat their food on rocks and leave the bones behind.

You can find rakali by looking for their leftover food.

Rakali thrive near water.

Rakali can eat toxic animals safely.

Rakali know how to avoid the toxic parts.

How to spot one

The mapping project is part of a University of Melbourne series.

The project tracked native bee species first.

The rakali map is on the university's website.

Look for water to find rakali.

Rakali need to climb in and out of the water to hunt.

Rakali can be found in many types of water.

Rakali are not just nocturnal.

The best time to find rakali is at dawn and dusk.

Rakali have a special scientific name.

Rakali have white tips on their tails.

Rakali have golden bellies.

Rakali can be found in many places in Melbourne.

The project focused on Melbourne, but rakali are common across Australia.

Rakali live in rivers, lakes, and coastal waterways.

The mapping project wants to show people the native animals around them.

If you live near a river, there's probably a rakali there.

Tell the Australian Platypus Conservancy if you see a rakali.

Not many people had reported rakali before the project.

Fishers and dog walkers have seen rakali.

More people have reported rakali since the project started.

The researcher is still waiting to see a rakali herself.

See more ABC coverage

Promotion

Hörübung

Hörübung