The rakali is a large Australian rodent that lives in burrows on the banks of rivers and lakes and feeds on aquatic insects. Females are generally smaller than males but tail lengths are normally the same. They have partially webbed hind legs, waterproof fur, a flattened head, a long blunt nose, many whiskers and small ears and eyes. Their body is streamlined with a skull that is large, flat, and elongated, with two molars on the upper and lower jaw. Rakali are black to brown in color with orange to white belly and dark tail with a white tip.