white to orange underneath. The thick dark tail is an identifying feature with its white tip. Pelage changes through the process of moulting varies according to sex. Males and females moult in autumn and summer, and females additionally in spring. Moulting is conditional to temperature, reproductive condition, adrenal weight, health and social interaction. The hind feet are wide and partially webbed, the broad face, flattened head and long whiskers are all distinguishing features. Their body grows to a length of 39 cm excluding the tail. This well-adapted semi-aquatic and territorial species may become very aggressive in high-density populations as they are mostly solitary. Fighting is common, leading to scarred tails from being bitten during fighting amongst both adult males and females. Animals often exhibit ulcerated wounds, subcutaneous cysts and tumours mostly in the dorsal and posterior regions. Ecology Distribution, Range and Habitat This widespread species can be found in permanent water systems in Australia, New Guinea and offshore islands. Rakali live near permanent water in a diverse range of habitat that varies from fresh slow-moving streams, brackish inland lakes and creeks to wetlands, rivers, estuaries and beaches on coastlines. Found in all states and territories, this adaptable species has resumed resettlement populations in both Australia and New Guinea. The map above shows their distribution throughout Australia and New Guinea. Widely distributed through eastern Australia, west of the Kimberley, along the Northern coastline, throughout New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, their habitat varies from freshwater streams to brackish wetlands, including shallow lakes (up to 2 m in depth) and farm dams, deep water storages, slow-moving rivers, creeks and streams, estuaries, coastal lakes and sheltered marine bays. Their home range typically comprises 1–4 km of waterways and they can travel a distance of between 200 m to a kilometre in a night when foraging. They prefer low banks with flat, densely vegetated water edges for protection and ease of stalking prey, spending time when not foraging resting in hollow logs and burrows. Diet and foraging The rakali is a predominantly carnivorous species, feeding on a variety of aquatic animals including fish, crustaceans, shellfish, small birds, eggs, mammals, frogs, and reptiles. In winter, when resources are limited, they will also feed on plants. A mostly nocturnal species, they search for their food at dusk; guided by sight while in the water, and hunting at the water’s edge with the apparent memory of previous