Rats, Mice, and Shrews / Chå'ka
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Rats, Mice, and Shrews / Chå'ka
Rats, mice and shrews are collectively known in Chamoru as "chå'ka". All are considered pests because they often live in buildings and can damage stored goods and food. But equally important, they have caused serious ecological problems on many Pacific islands by preying on native forest birds, seabirds, lizards, and other kinds of native wildlife. Rats are good at raiding bird nests and eating eggs and young birds.
Roof rat
Rats have been introduced to many Pacific islands. Guam has three species, the Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans), the roof rat (Rattus rattus), and the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus). The Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans) is the smallest kind and probably reached the island with early Chamoru settlers. It is not very abundant now. The roof rat is the most common species today and likely arrived aboard Spanish ships. This rat occurs in nearly all kinds of natural and human-made habitats. The Norway rat is the largest of the three species and usually lives in urban areas. It was first discovered here in 1962.House Mouse
The house mouse (Mus musculus) is another rodent that became established on Guam during the last several hundred years. The mouse and shrew both live in natural and urban areas.Musk shrew / Cha'kan akaleha'
The musk shrew (Suncus murinus) is small and gray, but is not a rodent. It feeds on insects and other small animals, and was accidentally introduced in the 1950s.
Guam Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy, 9/27/2005
