between the kiosk and the second set of steps.

The monitoring of the Rakali has enabled us to determine some patterns of behaviour. They emerge at around dusk, and are living amongst the rocks underneath the entire boardwalk. They tend to swim out to one of the pylons (where we presume they are prying off mussels or tube worms to eat), or to the pier, where we generally lose sight of them. They may also be obtaining mussels and tube worms from the pylons that hold up the pier. On their return to the boardwalk, they often get out of the water at the seagrass beds and browse around. They then walk along the beach, or swim along the beach in the shallow water. It is during this time that we can observe them running back and forth along the beach, and in some instances they are only a metre or two away.

We have observed them eating mussels, fish and tube worms (and a nice diet of seafood-flavoured catfood when in the traps), and they tend to either eat on the "Feeding rock" or on the beach, although the Totally Wild crew shot footage of one swimming on its back like an otter, while eating a tube worm at the same time. Analysis of prey remains in the feeding tables they leave behind indicate that they also eat a proportion of crabs and other shellfish. They have also been observed climbing the chains and ropes of boats that are moored at the marina. They are usually solitary, but we sometimes see them interacting, and at this time of year the young should be starting to get out and about.

So if you want to see one of Australia’s most attractive rodents in their natural environment, please come along and give us a hand. Rakali Watch takes place approximately twice a month (depending on tides and weather), so keep an eye out in the next issue of Earthcare News for the dates, and come and discover the exciting world of the Rakali at the St. Kilda breakwater