Rodent and stoat indicators photo gallery: Biosecurity

Introduction

View images of rodent and stoat tracks and droppings that will help you to identify the presence of these pests.

Sand is like a giant tracking tunnel, and is a good place to spot tracks and signs of pest invaders. Look out for tracks along sandy beaches whenever possible.

These prints and photos will help you to identify the presence of rodents and stoats.

Download the rodent and stoat indicators (PDF, 376K).

Rat prints.
The layout of rat tracks is fairly circular in shape, and if you draw a line between the toes 1 and 4 on the fore foot (line A-B), the line will bisect or lie behind of the central foot pad.

Mouse prints.
Mouse tracks are similar in layout to rat tracks but much smaller. Sometimes they only leave sets of 3 toe prints. Look for patterns that repeat themselves at regular intervals

Stoat prints.
The layout of stoat tracks is more oblong in shape, often furry, with toes 2 and 3 close together. A line drawn between toes 1 and 4 on the fore foot (line A-B) will lie in front of the central foot pad.

Rat droppings compared to a pen.
Rat droppings

Mouse droppings compared to a pen.
Mouse droppings

Stoat droppings compared to a pen.
Stoat droppings

Rat track on sand.
Rat track in the sand

Stoat track in the sand.
Stoat track