What is the name of a rat that can swim? - briefly
The species is called the water rat. It belongs to the genus Hydromys and inhabits freshwater environments.
What is the name of a rat that can swim? - in detail
The creature commonly identified as a swimming rat is the Australian water rat, scientifically named Hydromys chrysogaster. It belongs to the family Muridae and is also referred to by its Indigenous name, rakali.
This species inhabits freshwater streams, lakes, and coastal lagoons across southern and eastern Australia. Its body is streamlined, with dense, water‑repellent fur that reduces drag and prevents the coat from becoming saturated. Webbed hind feet and a flattened tail act as paddles, providing propulsion and steering while submerged. Vision is adapted for low‑light underwater conditions, and whiskers detect vibrations, enabling the animal to locate prey such as fish, crustaceans, and amphibian larvae.
Key physiological traits that support an aquatic lifestyle include:
- High lung capacity allowing prolonged dives of up to 30 seconds.
- Muscular forelimbs capable of gripping slippery surfaces and manipulating prey.
- A metabolic rate that generates sufficient heat to maintain body temperature in cold water.
Reproductive behavior aligns with the aquatic environment: nests are constructed from vegetation and placed on riverbanks or among riverine debris, protected from flooding by the animal’s ability to retreat quickly into water.
Although the rakali is the most recognized swimming rat, other murid rodents display strong swimming abilities. The common brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) can traverse several meters of water and survive extended submersion, a trait leveraged for urban foraging and escape from predators.
In summary, the Australian water rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) exemplifies a rodent species whose morphology, physiology, and behavior are specialized for a semi‑aquatic niche, while the brown rat also possesses notable swimming competence.