Black Rats in Mangroves: Successful and Intractable

Black rats thrive in mangrove forests on Aldabra Atoll, a UNESCO World Heritage site in the Seychelles, exhibiting higher densities, larger body sizes, and better body condition compared to those in terrestrial forest. This discovery complicates efforts for rat eradication, as the dense mangrove habitat hinders effective aerial baiting due to tidal inundation. The study employed trapping methods across different forest types to assess seasonal density changes and habitat preferences of black rats on atolls, providing critical insights into their ecological success and resilience in challenging environments.

Harper, G., Van Dinther, M., & Bunbury, N. (2014). Black Rats in Mangroves: Successful and Intractable. Proceedings of the Vertebrate Pest Conference, 26. https://doi.org/10.5070/v426110375