Lucky shot confirms mouse’s presence
A MANGROVE mouse with the remarkable ability to keep its fur free of mud has been found for the first time in Cairns, 500km away from the nearest population of the native species.
The water mouse (xeromys myoides) has been known to occur in mangrove forests in Darwin, Arnhem Land, Mack, and south to the Queensland border.
However, Cairns-based ecologist Andrew Mitchell, who has been surveying the mangroves south of Machans Beach, started finding signs of THE native water mouse (xeromys myoides) lives in mud nests, which are often distinguishable from mud mounds created by mud lobsters and sesarmid crabs. It is a capable swimmer and has been known to survive major the enigmatic rodent in the muddy forest about two months ago.
“I had an inkling there was one there, and then the next time I went out, I was lucky enough that he came towards me … and I could get a close photo,” he said. flooding by climbing inside hollow trees. The mouse (right) is carnivorous, feeding on small crustaceans including grapsid crabs. It is listed as vulnerable by state and federal governments.
The mouse, also known as the false water rat, or Yirrkoo, grows up to 12cm with a tail almost the same length.
The species is believed to have originated in Papua New Guinea and spread south along the northern Australian coastline.
Despite a life in the muddy confines of the mangroves, the animal’s sleek fur remains remarkably mud-free.
Mr Mitchell did not know why the creature was able to keep its fur so clean, but believed this was a similar adaptation to some canine species that also live in muddy areas.
“They are remarkably clean, and they are able to stay clean,” he said.
Far North Queensland is regarded to have the tallest and oldest mangroves in Australia.
Mr Mitchell said his find showed the strength of biodiversity in local mangroves.
“The mangroves around Cairns are special and house many more mammals than people might think, including striped possums and dingoes,” he said.
“On a worldwide scale, we have these world-class mangroves you can easily access just minutes from Cairns.”