Broad-toothed Rat (mainland)
Mastacomys fuscus mordicus
Australia's Threatened Species Category
Endangered
Listed since: 5/05/2016
IUCN's Threatened Species Category
Near Threatened
Listed since: 25/07/2015
Population trend: Decreasing
Other names: Tooarrana
Priority Species? No
The Australian government's Threatened Species Action Plan 2022-2032 selected over 100 priority species derive from consultation with threatened species experts and the wider community. While all species are important, focusing on a limited number of species can help target effort and resources so that outcomes can be achieved, measured and shared.
Description
The Broad-toothed Rat is a terrestrial and mostly nocturnal rodent. It is herbivorous, with grasses forming the major component of its diet. In summer it nests in burrows in the soil. In alpine areas in winter, it dens communally during the day in nests of shredded grass situated in dense undergrowth or under logs beneath the snow.
Threats
The most severe threat to the Broad-toothed Rat (mainland population) is predation by foxes and feral cats, increased bushfires due to climate change and habitat loss and fragmentation. The Broad-toothed Rat (mainland) has a highly fragmented distribution, but historically, the subspecies was far more widespread.