a) Water rats are bigger and brown - they swim. They're not uncommon around here because we're on LI Sound. b) They seemed to be hanging out together - hence the party atmosphere. It was more than just a chance meeting or gathering. c) They looked like they were plotting against me. I think they had a plan to surround me so I took no chances. It would have been 3 against 1. I was in a 2-some and her ball was far away.