Spanish Rodent (1 Viewer)

We rented an apartment in Ameria in south-east Spain during the middle of May and I must say it was one of the best-situated I've been in. Fronting onto the Las Almoladeras steppes on the edge of the Cabo de Gata park it gave us uninterrupted views all the way to Sierra de Cabo de Gata.

We heard red-necked nightjar on the first night and stone curlews nightly after that. Black-bellied sandgrouse were only a ten minute walk away. Spectacled warbler was a house tick.

This little fellow was as bold as brass. He walked across the front of our terrace one afternoon and investigated to see it there was a way to get through our glass door. He didn't seem to give a stuff about my presence.

The first two photos were taken through glass. My impression was of a very large mouse rather than a rat. The bars on the first photo were over 4 inches (100mm) apart to give an idea of the size of it.

Any ideas as to ID?

I've a strong suspicion that is a young brown rat.

Graham

Didn't look like the rats I've seen. Tail was finer, ears larger and its face didn't have that "rat" profile.

Hi,

Did you consider a possibility of wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus; it can also live in habitats with scarce vegetation and in sand dunes (despite its name). Also, it inter often to human buildings. That’s what my Mammals Guide says.

I tend to agree rat, but depending where it is Black Rat is an option in Spain, which might account for the excess tail.

Its not a Wood Mouse, they are warm brown above and fairly clean white with a fairly sharp demarcation between the top and bottom. The tail is too thick and looks grotty as well.

John

I can see where it could be a young black rat. They have a different look to the brown rat - more pointed face, large ears etc. - and they aren't always black.