Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Rat #2

Another rat this morning; I think this one is Rattus rattus or ship rat

Confirmed hypothesis: cheese does give you a headache!

It was a male weighing 155g, was 170mm long (head to base of tail) so a lot larger than the first one, a kiore. It was caught in the trap by the drive so that's one apiece now for my two Victor traps. It would be really good to catch one in the Nooski trap, just to confirm that they work!

Ship rat Rattus rattus - hind foot length 38mm


It will be really good to get my 30 new Victor traps set up once the parts have arrived. I've also ordered 6 Warrior possum traps from www.connovation.co.nz along with Ferafeed baits. These are non-toxic baits that can also be used in the rat traps.

Warrior Trap from Connovation website
The Warrior traps are fixed to a length of timber that is then nailed at chest height to a tree with the jaws facing downwards. This is to prevent ground birds, especially kiwi, being caught.