Artful Rodents in an Artistic Household

These small bright torpedo shaped objects were found in a Brisbane home and are probably the droppings of a Black Rat, Rattus rattus.

The animal had apparently attacked a pallet of watercolour paint. Rats are inclined to take a relatively large piece of food to a secure place before settling down to eat. Thus, each colour was eaten separately and passed through the rat without mixing with other colours.

The rat's artistic talents extended to its nest that incorporated a pastry cutter decorated with strips of coloured paper. For more details see Wildlife Australia, Summer 1997, published by Queensland Museum and Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland.