There are three easy ways to identify backyard predators.

Firstly, look for faeces, or teeth marks on fruit, or claw marks on trees. You can set out chew cards – the teeth marks left on chew cards can help identify exactly which predators are paying you a visit. They also tell you where in your backyard the predators are visiting and good places to put a trap.

Tracking tunnels are another great way to identify predators. The predator walks through ink on a pad, leaving clear footprints you can use for identification.

Rats

The two rats most often found in New Zealand backyards are the ship rat and the Norway rat. Rats are generally nocturnal and reclusive. Both species are neophobic, meaning they avoid new foods or situations. Just because you have never seen them, does not mean they are absent!

Norway rat. Photo: Ngā Manu.

The ship rat – also called the common rat or black rat – has large ears and a tail that’s longer than its body. This rat is the biggest threat to wildlife because it’s a good climber and can reach nests in trees.

The Norway rat – also called the brown rat – is larger, with a short, thick tail and small ears. Norway rats are good swimmers and prey on ground-nesting birds, their eggs and their chicks. They are able to climb trees but spend most of their time on the ground.

If you have rats in the backyard, you may well have mice in the vicinity too. The common house mouse is New Zealand’s smallest introduced predator.

Possums

Possums have furry bodies, a long bushy tail and pointed ears. They are similar in size to a cat and are nocturnal. Possums are a threat to our forests and native wildlife. They eat leaves, flowers, leaf buds, fruit, eggs, birds, insects, and snails. In backyards, they cause havoc to fruit trees and rose bushes!

Possum scratches on a tree. Photo: Jacquie Geux.

They are messy eaters, leaving ragged edges on leaves and partially eaten fruit and flowers on the ground.

Feral, stray, and owned cats also prey on birds, lizards, wētā and other species. The SPCA recommend keeping domestic cats happy and safe at home.