The Yellow- footed Antechinus

In recent months there have been a number of reports from people finding what they believe to be rats living in and around their homes. On closer inspection some of these rats turn out to be native Yellow-footed Antechinus, (Antechinus flavipes). Winter and early spring is the breeding season for these little creatures, which is why locals are reporting them more now. The Yellow-footed Antechinus can be distinguished from common rat species in the fact it has a sharply tapered snout, rather short ears and a fully, (though sparsely), furred tail has pale eye-rings, a black-tipped tail and a distinction between the slate-grey colour of the head and the orange-brown underparts. It is a nocturnal predator feeding on small rodents, birds and insects, but it also feeds on flowers and nectar. The males mate when about 12 months old, but put so much effort into pursuing mates they usually die shortly after mating from exhaustion and starvation. The females can have as many as eight young, which will stay with their mother for about ten months.
So before getting the rat traps out, take a closer look at the creature and you may see you actually have a little native friend living with you.

Article by WCMN ranger, Wendy Murphy
(Descriptions taken from A Photographic Guide to Mammals of Australia by Ronald Strahan)