Small black, grey or brown mammals with naked tails.
To help protect our environment:
Forest, coastal areas, urban areas, riparian margins, wetlands, shrubland, crops.
Eats seeds, invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians, juvenile birds. Competes with native birds for nests and burrows. Reduces native seedling recruitment, modifies plant communities. Negatively impacts cereal production and food services industry.
If you have pet rats, make sure they’re securely contained to avoid accidental escapes. If you are no longer able to look after your pet rat, find someone who is prepared to give it a lifetime home, or contact a relevant pet shop or animal rescue organisation to get it rehomed. Never release a rat into the wild – your pet may be unable to find the food and shelter it needs, and it also puts our native species at risk. If you see a rat on a pest-free island within the Tīkapa Moana/Hauraki Gulf, please report it to Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
Refer to the Pest Animal Control guidelines for information on how to control rats, or contact Auckland Council at pestfree@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz.
