Brown Rat

Brown Rat

Rattus norvegicus

Appearance

Brown Rat
  • Up to 40 cm 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 UK.
  • Preferred food is cereals.
  • Will eat around 30g of food a day and drink 60ml.