Species: Rattus norvegicus
Brown Rat
Species
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Encyclopedia of Puget Sound
Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Craniata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Rodentia
Family
Muridae
Genus
Rattus
NatureServe
Classification
Other Global Common Names
Norway Rat - Rata Noruega - rat brun - rat surmulot
Informal Taxonomy
Animals, Vertebrates - Mammals - Rodents
Formal Taxonomy
Animalia - Craniata - Mammalia - Rodentia - Muridae - Rattus - taxonomy and phylogeny.
Ecology and Life History
Migration
true - false - false
Non-migrant
true
Locally Migrant
false
Food Comments
Very opportunistic feeder; diet of vegetable and animal matter, garbage, and carrion.
Reproduction Comments
Breeds throughout the year, particularly from spring to fall. Gestation lasts 21-24 days or up to a week longer in lactating females. Litter size is 2-14 (average about 9). Averages 6 litters per year (range 3-12). Sexually mature in 80-85 days.
Ecology Comments
Home range is usually less than an acre. Can become locally abundant. Lives in highly organized colonies. Throughout range in different habitats, median survival time relatively consistent at about 3 months, annual survival rate at about 5%.
Length
46
Weight
485
Conservation Status
NatureServe Global Status Rank
G5
Global Status Last Reviewed
2006-02-14
Global Status Last Changed
1996-11-15
Other Status
LC - Least concern
Distribution
Conservation Status Map
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Global Range
Assumed native in eastern Asia; introduced worldwide but most common in colder climates of high latitudes; in warmer regions, restricted to habitats highly modified by humans (Musser and carleton, in Wilson and Reeder 2005).