Brown Rat - Rattus norvegicus
Brown rats arrived in the UK 1730 from the Baltic, having originated in China and soon displaced the Black Rat by eating their young.
They live in large colonies and if left unchecked could number hundreds. Brown rats are mainly nocturnal and are good swimmers. They will run away from danger, but may attack in groups if cornered. Packs of rats have been known to attack rabbits, large birds or even fish.
They identify each other by smell and will also fight off rival packs or their members. Their main predators are cats, owls and weasels and of course man.
British Distribution
| Origin: | Introduced |
| Size: | Usually 21 cm plus 18 cm tail, but vary between 32 and 58 cm including tail. |
| Description: | Fine, soft fur and scaly, fleshy tail. Has a repulsive smell. |
| Habitat: | Inhabits open countryside and towns, barns, warehouses, canal banks and sewers. |
| Young: | Litters of 1 - 20 every 6 weeks, all the year. Females breed at 3 months. Gestation is 21 days. |
| Nest: | In chambers within their burrows lined with dry grass or other available materials. |
| Diet: | Omnivorous. Can survive on almost any food, but prefers a cereal diet with some animal matter. Food is not stored but is taken to a safe place to be eaten. |
| Population: | Pre-breeding season estimated to be in excess of 7 million. |
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