What does a water rat look like? - briefly
A water rat is a medium‑sized rodent with dense, water‑repellent fur, a long, flattened tail, and partially webbed hind feet. Its head bears small rounded ears, dark eyes, and a blunt snout.
What does a water rat look like? - in detail
The water rat, a semiaquatic rodent native to Australia and New Guinea, displays a suite of adaptations for life in streams and wetlands.
Body size ranges from 20 cm to 30 cm in head‑body length, with a tail nearly equal in length. Adult weight varies between 250 g and 450 g. Fur is dense, water‑repellent, and typically dark brown to black on the dorsal side, transitioning to a lighter gray or whitish hue on the ventral surface. The coat’s oily secretions reduce moisture absorption during prolonged swimming.
Key morphological traits include:
- Head: Broad, flattened skull; small, rounded ears concealed by fur; eyes positioned high on the skull for underwater vision.
- Snout: Short, muscular, equipped with whiskers (vibrissae) that detect water currents.
- Limbs: Forefeet possess partially webbed digits; hind feet are fully webbed, each bearing strong, curved claws for gripping riverbanks.
- Tail: Long, laterally flattened, covered with sparse, coarse hairs; functions as a powerful rudder.
- Nails: Sharp, retractable on forepaws for digging burrows in riverbanks; broader on hind paws to aid propulsion.
Dental formula follows the typical rodent pattern (1/1 incisors, no canines, 1/1 premolars, 3/3 molars). Incisors are orange‑tinged, continuously growing, and self‑sharpened by gnawing.
Skin pigmentation provides camouflage against dark water and riverine debris, while the glossy sheen of the fur indicates a healthy, well‑maintained oil layer. These characteristics collectively enable the species to navigate swift currents, forage underwater, and evade predators.