A gigantic rat measuring 400mm long and weighing 523g has astonished conservationists in Wellington, New Zealand.
The dead rat, believed to have been poisoned, was discovered in Prince of Wales Park by Sandra Haluza from Predator Free Wellington. Experts are calling it the largest rat ever found by their team.
Haluza initially thought the rat was a kitten due to its size. “I did a double take when I saw it on the side of the road,” she said. Norway rats, like this one, are much larger than the common ship rats usually found in urban areas. While ship rats typically weigh 200-300g, Norway rats can reach up to 400g, making this one exceptionally large.
Rats pose a significant problem in Wellington, where Predator Free Wellington focuses on controlling them to protect the environment. The team believes that eliminating large rats like this “mega rat” helps other native species thrive. However, Haluza warned that other similar-sized rats might still be out there.
“For it to get that big, it must have been eating a lot, likely impacting other species,” she explained. Bigger rats often evade traps, so this catch is especially valuable for their conservation efforts.
What’s next for the mega rat? It will undergo an autopsy for research before being taxidermied and added to Predator Free Wellington’s collection as a unique specimen.
