Pests > Pests Entities > Rats & Bats > Rats > Frond damage, ?rats, Veitchia merrillii, Cook Is

November 2004. Damage to the fronds of the palm, Veitchia merrillii in Cook Islands. The fronds drop during strong winds. Rat damage was considered, but it was thought more likely thought to be caused by insect.

The palms were cut down and and examination of them and the surrounding area found a lot of evidence of rat damage. They obviously like the apple juice-like taste of the petioles.