The introduced Black Rat probably entered Australia accidentally when the First Fleet unloaded cargo in Sydney Cove. It is quite possible that it even arrived with the Macassan traders several hundred years earlier. It has since spread throughout Australia, particularly in the south of the continent.
However, Australia does have its own native rats. The Bush rat (Rattus fuscipes) has a more pointed head and larger and more rounded ears than the common black or brown rat. It lives in bushland and heath rather than urban areas, preferring to live in the dense forest understorey. It shelters in shallow burrows under logs or rocks. In addition, there are more species of native rat in the Kimberley region.
There is also the Australian water-rat, which is quite different to other rats as it is much larger, has partially webbed hind feet, and dense waterproof fur for which it was once hunted.
Stoats are not native to Australia, but they have also not yet become established in Australia. At some stage in Australia's history, stoats were introduced as a method for controlling rabbits, but they did not become established.
Homesick English settlers introduced the blackberry for the berries and, as with so many of Australia's pests, the reminder of home.
The first telephone in Australia was installed in Melbourne in 1879.
Yes. Both the rabbit and the fox have been introduced to Australia, and both have caused massive damage since their arrival.
Cattle were first introduced with the First Fleet in January 1788.
Black rats and brown rats wer introduced into Australia as a result of climbing aboard ships via ropes and rigging.
The first European explorer to reach Australia (the first recorded landfall) was Willem Janszoon (Netherlands) representing the Dutch East India Company in 1606. This was most probably the first introduction of rats to Australia. Rats were most likely transferred during coastal exploration when supplies brought to shore.
Black rats came to Australia during the 18th century, likely around the time of European colonization. They were transported by ships and quickly spread throughout the country, becoming invasive pests in many regions.
Emus are native to Australia, not introduced.
Nothing. There are no river rats in Australia.
The first rats introduced to New Zealand were the Polynesian rat or kiore. They came with the Maori settlers in around 1300.
When the Maori people came to Nz, they brought rats along with them so they were already introduced. Hope that helps
There are native placental mammals in Australia. These include some 80 species of bats, and dozens of rodents, including hopping mice of various species, tree rats, rock rats and other native rats, just to name a few. Australian animals are also extremely vulnerable to introduced species. Many have become extinct due to introduced predators such as foxes, dogs and feral cats, while introduced herbivores such as rabbits and stock animals have caused an imbalance in the vegetation in Australia, threaten food supplies on which native animals rely.
No, because there are no weasels in Australia. There are ferrets, which are entirely introduced.
Yes. Donkeys are introduced, and not native to Australia.
Non-native mice arrived in Australia with the First Fleet in January 1788. There were numerous rats and mice on board, which survived the long voyage, and ruined some of the grain brought over for food and seed.
I think Harmony Day was introduced to Australia in 1998