Common rat species

Norway rats usually prefer ground living and burrowing, but sometimes they can be known to climb.

Appearance

• The Norway rat’s body is about 9.5 inches long, with an 8-inch tail — usually shorter than its body.
• It grows up to between 200–500g in weight.
• It has a blunt nose, small ears and a thicker body when compared to the Roof rat (Rattus rattus).

Lifecycle

• Norway rats have 4–7 young per litter and between 3–6 litters a year.
• The gestation period is about 3 weeks.
• It takes 8–20 weeks from birth to reach sexual maturity.

Habits

• They prefer to nest in burrows in soil along railroad embankments, stream/river banks, piles of garbage, under concrete slabs, etc.
• They prefer meat, fish, and cereal but will eat practically anything.