Western water rat

The western water rat (Hydromys hussoni) is a semiaquatic species of rodent in the family Muridae. It lives near water and is adapted to life in wet environments. This interesting animal can be found in West Papua, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.

Like other water rats, the western water rat spends much of its time in and around water, helping keep these areas healthy. However, its home is facing threats because of habitat loss. Even though scientists know some facts about this rat, there is still much left to learn, and it is currently listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List, meaning we need more information to understand how to protect it.