Brown Rat
Rattus norvegicus
A brown rat's incisors grow continuously throughout its life, up to five inches per year, forcing them to constantly gnaw on hard surfaces to wear them down.
- Scientific name
- Rattus norvegicus
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Rodentia › Muridae › Rattus
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- increasing
- Biome
- urban
- Habitat
- Highly adaptable, primarily found in urban environments, sewers, basements, agricultural fields, and near watercourses.
- Diet
- Omnivorous scavenger, consuming grains, seeds, human food waste, small invertebrates, and carrion.
- Range
- Worldwide (except Antarctica)
- Size
- Body length 20-28 cm, tail length 17-23 cm, weight 150-500 grams.
- Lifespan
- 1 to 2 years in the wild
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Rodenticides, traps, domestic predators (cats and dogs), and birds of prey.
- Safe to approach?
- Generally defensive; they will flee unless cornered or handled. Do not attempt to touch or catch wild rats, as they can bite and carry pathogens. Maintain a safe distance. If bitten or scratched, wash the wound thoroughly with soap and warm water and seek medical attention immediately.
The Brown rat ( Rattus norvegicus ), also referred to as the common rat , street rat , sewer rat , Hanover rat , Norway rat , Norwegian rat , or wharf rat is one of the best known and most common rats.
Photo: Martin Cooper, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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