bush rat is strictly nocturnal and is active year-round. Adults seem to be nomadic, but will rarely leave the forest floor. The species is primarily herbivorous, consuming fungi and plant tissue, but includes arthropods in their diet. It is also the host to more parasites than any other Australian rodent. They exhibit stereotypically normal behaviour when approaching an intruder; boxing, threat-posture, clash, approach. The bush rat is prey to some local predators, including dingos, foxes, birds of prey and reptiles. Bush rats tend to avoid areas impacted by humans, and populations tend to decline when anthropogenic influences in a region increase. Breeding behaviour The bush rat begins breeding around November and has litter sizes ranging usually between 4–5. The majority of individuals do not live to a second breeding cycle due to their short life span. The gestation period of the bush rat varies between 22 and 24 days. The "nursery" of the bush rat is its burrow. The nursing period lasts for about the first 20–25 days of life. External links Image of the type specimen's skull Image of the type specimen's skin Notes and references Rattus Mammals of South Australia Mammals of Queensland Mammals of New South Wales Mammals of Victoria (Australia) Rodents of Australia Mammals described in 1839