Identifying small mammals in hand can be tricky. Identifying small mammals in blurry camera trap images can be near impossible and can require a different set of characteristics. Some species are glaringly obvious, others are a mix of knowing what occurs in the area and getting the feel for how different species pose or how different flash types reflect off of subtly different fur.
I’ve compiled a selection of sample images of small mammal species that I commonly encounter in Gippsland, the Grampians, and the Otways. Accompanying the images are a few notes to help identify each species.
To download the full guide, click here.
The link will redirect you to a page where you can download the ~100MB file.
Species covered:
Agile antechinus (Antechinus agilis)
Dusky Antechinus (A. mimetes fka A. swainsonii)
Swamp Antechinus (A. minimus)
Eastern Pygmy Possum (Cercartetus nanus)
House Mouse (Mus musculus)
Smoky Mouse (Pseudomys fumeus)
New Holland Mouse (P. novaehollandiae)
Bush Rat (Rattus fuscipes)
Swamp Rat (R. lutreolus)
Black Rat (R. rattus)
White-footed Dunnart (Sminthopsis leucopus)
For some larger mammals and more descriptions, check out Bronwyn Hradsky’s camera trap image ID page.
Still need help identifying a rodent in Victoria?
Send me an email at nativemouse.ID@gmail.com – be sure to include the location!
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