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Water Rats is a TV series about the Sydney Water Police, who deal with crimes and mysteries on and around the harbour. The series ran from 1996 to 2001 and features a large cast of characters, action, and intrigue.
- (1.2K)
- 1996-02-12
- Action, Crime, Drama
- 60
Grand Order of Water Rats. OUR MEMBERS, PAST AND PRESENT, INCLUDE SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST FAMOUS ENTERTAINERS. Take a look. Events. Members. Roll of Honour. Latest News. Our History.
- Overview
- Natural history
- Classification
water rat, any of 18 species of amphibious carnivorous rodents. They exhibit many adaptations associated with hunting in water for food and burrowing along streams, rivers, and lakes. The eyes are small, the nostrils can be closed to keep water out, and the external portion of the ears is either small and furry or absent. Highly sensitive whiskers ...
One of the smallest species is a South American fish-eating rat (Neusticomys monticolus) with a body length of 10 to 12 cm (4 to nearly 5 inches) and a tail of about the same length. The golden-bellied water rat (Hydromys chrysogaster) of Australia and New Guinea is the largest, with a body 20 to 39 cm long and a slightly shorter tail (20 to 33 cm). Living by freshwater lakes, estuaries, and rivers and in coastal mangrove swamps, it is tolerant of heavily polluted aquatic habitats. Its prey includes a variety of invertebrates, such as large aquatic insects, snails, mussels, crabs, and crayfish. Vertebrates taken include fish, frogs, turtles, young and adult birds, bird eggs, bats, and mice. The other 17 species typically require clear, unpolluted freshwater streams. The animals’ diet consists primarily of a variety of aquatic insects, but they also eat crustaceans and occasionally small fish. All water rats locate prey underwater by touch with their sensitive whiskers. Most are adept swimmers and aggressive underwater predators, but the African water rat (Colomys goslingi) wades through shallow water or sits at the water’s edge with its muzzle submerged; it is reported to eat some terrestrial insects and snails. Although most water rats are nocturnal, some species are active during the day.
Britannica Quiz
Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom Vocabulary Quiz
Water rats of the genus Hydromys live in the mountains and coastal lowlands of Australia, New Guinea, and some nearby islands. The earless water rat (Crossomys moncktoni) inhabits mountains of eastern New Guinea, where it prefers cold, fast-flowing streams bordered by tropical forest or grass. The African water rat is also found along streams bordered by tropical forest. The 11 water rats of the Western Hemisphere are found from southern Mexico into South America, where they typically live along streams in rainforests from sea level upward to mountain pastures above the tree line.
Although all water rats are members of the mouse family (Muridae), they belong to two different subfamilies. The genera Hydromys, Crossomys, and Colomys are classified in the subfamily Murinae (Old World mice and rats), whereas the American species are members of the subfamily Sigmodontinae (New World mice and rats). No water rats exist in the Asian tropics or at nontropical latitudes. Instead, carnivorous amphibious shrews and moles occupy the water rat’s ecological niche. The European water voles (genus Arvicola) are sometimes called water rats.
•Genus Hydromys (water rat) 5 species.
•Genus Neusticomys (neotropical, or fish-eating, rats) 5 species.
•Genus Ichthyomys (crab-eating water rats) 3 species.
•Genus Chibchanomys (Chibchan water mice) 2 species.
•Genus Crossomys (earless water rat) 1 species.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The Water Rats is a historic and legendary venue for live music in King's Cross, London. It has hosted gigs by Bob Dylan, The Pogues, Oasis and many more, and offers a new PA system, stage, food and drinks.
How do we distinguish a water vole from a brown rat? The brown rat has a pointed face with obvious ears and large eyes; the water vole has a rounded muzzle and ears which are half hidden in fur.
When all you've seen is a flash of brown fur, it can be hard to know whether it was a water vole or a rat. So how do you tell rats and water voles apart?
Nov 20, 2014 · Water voles are also known as water rats, but they are different animals. Learn how to spot water voles and other mammals around the waterways with this guide from The Inland Waterways Association.
