rakali; water-rat
Refers specifically to the Australian native rodent Hydromys chrysogaster, also known as the rakali or golden-bellied water rat.
The rakali inhabits rivers and lakes in Australia.
The water-rat is a good swimmer and eats fish and crustaceans.
Kanji spelling for the rakali, literally 'big water rat'.
Katakana spelling, common for animal names.
Compound of 大 (ō, 'big') + 水 (mizu, 'water') + 鼠 (nezumi, 'rat'). The reading is a straightforward kun'yomi combination.