| Brown Rat, Sewer Rat, Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
PEST NAME : Brown Rat, Sewer Rat, Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus)
SIZE, SHAPE AND COLOUR : Large and robust, 300gm. Body 19 to 25cm. Tail 15 to 22cm. Snout blunt, eyes small, ears small covered with short hairs. Tail dark above pale below. Fur harsh and shaggy brown in general, underneath pale grey to yellow white.
BIOLOGY : Gestation 21 to 24 days. Litter size 6 to 11. Litters per year 4 to 6. Weaning period 3 to 4 weeks. Maturity 3 to 4 months. Life span 9 to 12 months.
PREFERRED FOODS : Totally omnivorous, eating more meat and protein than the black Rat, favours grain and cereal products but will eat vegetable matter, decomposing organic matter including animal and human waste. Water 60ml per day.
HABITAT : Widespread urban and rural, all sorts of buildings, in drain and sewers and water course, in embankments and in flower beds especially if shrubs provide cover for burrowing; harbourages include old machines, pallets stored and redundant item stores. Will exploit services, broken pipes and building defects to attain entry. Builds extensive burrow systems and runs in long grass etc.
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