The rakali (Hydromys chrysogaster), also known as the rabe or water-rat, is an Australian native rodent first scientifically described in 1804. Adoption of the Aboriginal name Rakali is intended to foster a positive public attitude by Environment Australia. One of four described species in the genus Hydromys, it is the only one with a range extending beyond Papua New Guinea and Indonesian West Papua. Having adapted to and colonised a unique niche of a semiaquatic and nocturnal lifestyle, this species lives in burrows on the banks of rivers, lakes and estuaries and feeds on aquatic insects, fish, crustaceans, mussels, snails, frogs, birds' eggs and water birds. Rakali have a body in length, weigh , and have a thick tail measuring around . Females are generally smaller than males but tail lengths are normally the same. They have partially webbed hind legs, waterproof fur, a flattened head, a long blunt nose, many whiskers and small ears and eyes. The body is streamlined with a skull that is large, flat and elongated, with two molars on the upper and lower jaw, similar to the water mouse. They are black to brown in colour with an orange to white belly, and dark tail with a white tip. Hunted for their soft fur and considered a nuisance animal, numbers were under threat until a protection order in 1938. They were still under destruction permits from 1938 to 1957 due to alleged destruction of irrigation banks and destruction of fishing nets. Additionally from 1957 to 1967 a number of licensed seasons were also held for this reason. Common names Until the 1980s, this species was commonly known as "water-rat" (also "common water-rat", or "golden-bellied water-rat"), but during the 1990s there was a push for such descriptive English common names to be replaced with indigenous names. In 1995, the Australian Nature Conservation Agency released a document in which the following indigenous names were recorded for H. chrysogaster. They recommended that "rakali" be adopted as the common name, and the Australian Department of Environment and Heritage has taken up this suggestion. Both common names are now widespread. Taxonomy and description Hydromys chrysogaster is the most specialised of the Hydromyini rodent group for aquatics. They feature a flattened head, partly webbed hind feet and water repellent fur that also offers insulation. Their waterproof thick coat varies from extremely dark fur, black to slate grey on their back and