Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Mastacomys fuscus
Profile last updated:
21 Oct 2020
Description
A compact rodent, chubby-cheeked, with a short, wide face and ears, and long, dense, fine fur. It is brown above, with attractive, rufous highlights. The tail is shorter than the head and body length (Rattus species have tails as long or longer than the head and body). The tail is ringed, with very little fur. This species' large, fibrous, green droppings are distinctive. Broad-toothed Rats are more similar, genetically and ecologically, to native mice (Pseudomys species) than to Rattus species. The females' maximum number of four nipples distinguishes them from the Rattus species, which have at least twice as many. Broad-toothed Rats are gentle in demeanour and are very much an Australian native 'guinea-pig' in appearance and character.
This species is currently listed by the Commonwealth as Mastacomys fuscus mordicus — Broad-toothed Rat (mainland), Tooarrana
Distribution
In NSW the Broad-toothed Rat occurs in two widely separated areas: the wet alpine and subalpine heaths and woodlands in Kosciuszko National Park, adjacent Nature Reserves (Bimberi and Scabby NR) and State Forest (Buccleuch SF) in the south of the State, and on the Barrington Tops, north-west of Newcastle. In Victoria - South Gippsland and the Otways - and western Tasmania, it can be found in wet sedge and grasslands at lower elevations.
Habitat and ecology
- The Broad-toothed Rat lives in a complex of runways through the dense vegetation of its wet grass, sedge or heath environment, and under the snow in winter. This relatively warm under-snow space enables it to be active throughout winter.
- A male’s home range overlaps those of several females.
- Sheltering nests of grass are built in the understorey or under logs, where two or three young are born in summer. In winter the rats huddle together in nests, for warmth.
- Food is mostly, gathered at night, in summer and autumn and during the afternoon and early evening in winter. The diet consists almost solely of greenery - grass and sedge stems, supplemented by seeds and moss spore cases.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Predation by feral cats.
- Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation from roads, ski runs and buildings.
- Broad-toothed rats may be mistaken for vermin when they enter ski lodges and other buildings.
- Catastrophic fire events, hazard reduction burning can cause localised population extinction.
- Grazing by rabbits and hares may impact on suitable vegetation cover and structure. Rabbits may attract predators to areas of habitat.
- Invasion of habitat by exotic weeds including scotch broom, blackberry and willow.
- Global warming causing loss of snow cover will result in increased exposure to foxes and cats in alpine areas. Competition with feral herbivores and native rodent species may also increase.
- Wild horses degrade habitat/cover and disturb the species.
- Direct degradation of suitable habitat/cover as well as competition for food from feral pigs and deer.
- Predation by European red foxes causes high mortality and restricts population growth.
- Invasion of habitat by scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius)
- Invasion of habitat by blackberry (Rubus spp.), which acts as a refuge area for feral pigs, cats, and foxes.
- Damage from recreational activities
- Lack of distribution information.
Recovery strategies
A targeted strategy for managing this species has been developed under the Saving Our Species program; click
here for details. For more information on the Saving Our Species program click
here
Activities to assist this species
- Undertake fox and feral cat control program targeting known high quality habitat and recently disturbed potential habitat.
- Do not use rat-traps or poisons in buildings in areas of Broad-toothed Rat habitat. Do use harm-free traps such as Elliot traps and check them daily so you can release native animals. Contact NPWS for more information.
- Control rabbits and hares.
- Remove stock from areas of habitat.
- Control exotic weeds such as blackberry, scotch broom and willow.
- Climate change renders protection of existing habitat even more crucial. Support actions to reduce global warming.
- Survey for Broad-toothed Rat presence in all alpine and subalpine areas where developments are proposed and manage to protect habitat and travel corridors.
- Mark Broad-toothed Rat habitat onto maps used for planning bush fire control, hazard reduction burns and other management works.
Information sources
- Green, K. (1998) A winter niche: the subnivean space. Pp. 125-40 in Green, K. (ed.) Snow: A Natural History; and Uncertain Future. AALC Canberra; Surrey Beatty and Sons, Sydney.
- Green, K. and Osborne, W.S. (2003) The distribution and status of the Broad-toothed Rat Mastacomys fuscus (Rodentia: Muridae) in NSW and the ACT. Australian Zoologist 32: 229-237.
- Happold, D.C.D. (1995) Broad-toothed Rat Mastacomys fuscus. Pp. 562-4 in Strahan, R. (ed.). The Mammals of Australia. Reed Books, Sydney.
- Menkhorst, P. and Knight, F. (2001) A Field Guide to the Mammals of Australia. Oxford Uni Press, Melbourne.
- Menkhorst, P.W. (1995) Broad-toothed Rat. Pp. 208-10 in Menkhorst, P.W. (ed) The Mammals of Victoria: distribution, ecology and conservation. Oxford University Press, Melbourne.
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