Norway Rat: Facts, Identification & Control
Latin Name:
Rattus norvegicus
Appearance:
Brown, heavy-bodied, six to eight inches long, with small eyes and ears and blunt nose. Tail is shorter than head and body. Its fur is shaggy. Droppings are capsule-shaped.
Habit:
Nests in underground burrows, from which they enter buildings in search of food. Tends to remain in hiding during the day.
Diet:
Omnivorous, but prefers meats. Cannot survive long without water.
Reproduction:
Reaches sexual maturity in two months and can breed any month of the year. Litter may number from eight to twelve. Females can have four to seven litters per year. Adults live as long as one year.
- One-page fact sheet about Rodents.