Rakali

This widespread species can be found in permanent water systems in Australia, New Guinea and offshore islands. Rakali live near permanent water in a diverse range of habitat that varies from fresh slow-moving streams, brackish inland lakes and creeks to wetlands, rivers, estuaries and beaches on coastlines. Found in all states and territories, this adaptable species has resumed resettlement populations in both Australia and New Guinea. The map above shows their distribution throughout Australia and New Guinea. Widely distributed throughout most of eastern Australia (including Tasmania), along the coast of northern Australia (except for the Pilbara), and South West WA, their habitat varies from freshwater streams to brackish wetlands, including shallow lakes (up to 2 m (6 ft 7 in) in depth) and farm dams, deep water storages, slow-moving rivers, creeks and streams, estuaries, coastal lakes and sheltered marine bays. Their home range typically comprises 1–4 km (0.6–2.5 mi) of waterways and they can travel a distance of between 200 m (660 ft) to 1 km (0.6 mi) in a night when foraging. They prefer low banks with flat, densely vegetated water edges for protection and ease of stalking prey, spending time when not foraging resting in hollow logs and burrows.

The rakali is a predominantly carnivorous species, feeding on a variety of aquatic animals including fish, crustaceans, molluscs (such as mussels), other shellfish, insects, small birds (such as the young of waterfowl and poultry), eggs, mammals (such as house mice and even bats), frogs, and reptiles (such as young turtles). In winter, when resources are limited, they will also feed on plants. A mostly nocturnal species, they search for their food at dusk; guided by sight while in the water, and hunting at the water's edge with the apparent memory of previous catches' locations. They can also exhibit crepuscular habits, being found swimming and feeding in the early morning and evening. The animal does not tolerate low temperatures well, so they prefer terrestrial prey in winter over the aquatic species. They also spend longer winter periods in the warmth of their burrows. A relatively new addition to the rakali's diet is, specifically, the heart and liver of the toxic cane toad, in regions where the toads have moved into their territory. The rakali have figured out how to avoid the toad's poisonous shoulder glands by flipping them onto their backs for ease of dispatch. They are, seemingly, unaffected by any poisonous secretions on the toads' skin which they may inadvertently ingest. …