Many thanks to all the forum members who wrote encouraging messages regarding the P_owl postings.
We are acutely aware of clogging up these pages with endless, similar photos.
However, today we spotted a P_owl with what looks like a rat.
We wonder if some people here would be able to verify that it is, or if not, what it might be?
Cheers,
Antonia
The Australian Museum says
"Tail The next thing to look at is its tail. Is it: Long in relation to the body, sparsely haired and scaly and not used to grip branches when climbing? It is a Black Rat. Shorter than the body length? It is a Bush Rat. Long, with a white tip, furred on the upper surface and naked underneath, and used to grip branches or held with the end slightly curled? It is a Ring-tailed Possum."
Going by this I would say that the prey in this picture is indeed a black rat.
http://australianmuseum.net.au/is-it-a-rat
Happy Birding!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138588528@N02/
I'm not convinced that is a Rat, Antonia but not sure what it is. The tail looks to be too long?
Bandicoots are very similar in appearance to the rat as they have long, pointed heads and snouts and a short and compact body with a long, thin tail.
Bit of info here... http://a-z-animals.com/animals/bandicoot/
Readers should know that you can right-click on each photograph for a larger image.
Samford Valley Qld.
I agree with Reflex that the tail is to long for a rat, so I would go with a Bandicoot or some other rodent. BTW Great Photos!
M.M.
If you google images for a bandicoot, the tail appears to be about the same length as the body. Also in the last photo if you look at the rear foot, bandicoots have a long middle toe, this creature does not appear to have. If you look closely at the upturned foot photo 3! The middle toes all appear to be the same length, again evident if you google images for black rat. My non expert opinion - rat, leaning towards black rat.
Have a look at this page from the Australian Museum of a black rat, clearly a very long tail.http://australianmuseum.net.au/is-it-a-rat
edit sorry did not see Wollemi has also already provided this link
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
bandicoot have short tail in relation to body, pretty sure this is a rat.
Happy Birding!
https://www.flickr.com/photos/138588528@N02/
Wonderful photos of the owl , and the meal is definitely not a Bandicoot.
We have lots of Bandicoots here , and twice in the past year I've handled them and released them back into the bush as they had became 'lost' in the laundry , or in a large cardboard box!
Cheers,
Barney.
Very hard to identify without a head. Either way, great photos Antonia.
I would say not a Bandicoot as the body seems too thin. Bandicoots seem to be more plump.
However what is that Baring in pic 1 & 3? Could it be an Antechinus?
Whatever it is, looks like he is enjoying his meal.
Thanks for sharing