Brown Rat / Norway Rat

Rattus norvegicus

Appearance

• Up to 15 3/4" in length, with a tail shorter than the head and body.
• 350 – 500g in weight.
• Blunt nose, small ears and a thicker body when compared to the Black Rat (Rattus rattus).

Lifecycle

• 7 – 8 young per litter; 3 – 6 litters a year.
• Gestation period of about 3 weeks.
• 10 – 12 weeks from birth to sexual maturity.

Habits

• Usually ground living and burrowing, but sometimes climbs. The only species to occur in sewers in the United States.
• Preferred food is cereals.
• Will eat around 30g of food a day and drink 60ml.