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Rakali or Australian Water Rat (Hydromys chrysogaster)

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How many zoos actually house this species?? Perth is the only one I've heard of...
 
Currumbin Sanctuary, Healesville Sanctuary, Perth Zoo, Territory Wildlife Park, and Wings Wildlife Park all have them. Taronga used to as well.
 
They're also one of the relatively few Aussie mammals, and the tiny number of Aussie placentals, to be present in European zoos; in six zoos currently, including London.
 
Thank you both! Do either of you know if they display very well? Or are they pretty secretive..?
 
They're primarily nocturnal, so would only be seen if in a Nocturnal House I'd imagine. When I've seen them in the wild it is only ever in the evening (just before dark) or at night, although I know of other people (including on Zoochat) who have seen them by day.

Anyway, with regards specifically to your question, in zoos where I've seen them they haven't been very good as displays. It is probably variable though - I may have just caught them at the wrong times.
 
In Europe they're invariably in nocturnal exhibits and under those conditions they show very well indeed - struggling to think of an occasion I've ever failed to see one active.
 

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Perth Zoo
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