Norway Rat

Rattus Norvegicus

Written by Kathy Richards

The Norway Rat is originally from Asia. It was first reported in America in 1775. It is believed to have come over in grain shipments for Hession Soldiers who were fighting for the British in the Revolutionary war. It was originally thought that the ship was a Norwegian ship hence the name Norway Rat.

AnemoneProjectors, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

HABITAT:

The Norway rat is found throughout the US. It makes it ‘s home wherever there is plenty of food. This includes cities, farms, waterfront, fields and towns and dumps.

They dig burrows in loose soil. These tunnels are about 1.5 feet deep and 6 feet long. Often there are several burrows connected together.

BEHAVIOR:

The Norway rat is one of the most highly adaptable rodents. It can live almost anywere. They are also very destructive chewing on wallboard, wood, plastics and electrical wire as well as stored grains.

It is nocturnal and active year round.

Females can have up to 12 litters per year but usually only have 5 litters of 7-10 babies. The rat is about 1-1.5 ft long and weighs 6-17 oz.

If food becomes scarce they will mass migrate to a new location.

FOOD:

They are omnivores and will eat anything. This includes fruit, vegetables, grains, fresh meat, carrion (dead animals), chickens, eggs and garbage

PREDATORS:

Humans, cats and dogs, snakes, owls, hawks, weasels, mink, fox, coyote, bobcat and lynx.

Check out other animals in the exhibits nearby

Gray Fox

Fisher

Long Tailed Weasel