DSC_7116 Ship rat (Rattus rattus) male emerging from hedgerow. The 'black' rat is one of the three colour forms of ship rat, with a characteristic bluish-tinged black back, merging to a slate-grey belly. Ship rats are the commonest rat in New Zealand, they reach their greatest abundance in lowland forests, and are found in all forest types. They are also found in parks, hedgerows, farmland, and buildings. Their climbing ability means that their habitat is three dimensional incorporating everything from the ground to the treetops. *
11002-18314 Ship rat (Rattus rattus) black male with NZ passion fruit (Passiflora tetrandra) 'cache'. The 'black' rat is one of the three colour forms of ship rat, with a bluish-black back merging to a slate-grey belly. Ship rats are the commonest rat in New Zealand, they reach their greatest abundance in lowland forests, and are found in all forest types. They are also found in parks, hedgerows, farmland, and buildings. Their climbing ability means that their habitat is three dimensional incorporating everything from the ground to the treetops. Okuti Valley, Banks Peninsula *
11002-18103 Ship rat (Rattus rattus) the 'black' rat is one of the three colour forms of ship rat, with a characteristic bluish-tinged black back, merging to a slate-grey belly. Ship rats are the commonest rat in New Zealand, they reach their greatest abundance in lowland forests, and are found in all forest types. They are also found in parks, hedgerows, farmland, and buildings. Their climbing ability means that their habitat is three dimensional incorporating everything from the ground to the treetops. *
