Norway Rats Facts

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Other Names: Brown Rat, Gray Rat, Common Rat, House Rat, Wharf Rat, Water Rat, Barn Rat, Sewer Rat, Super Rat

 

 

 

These "super rats" can reach 16" in length. Each female rat can give birth to 20 pups in her lifetime. Some factors affecting rat populations in cities include continuously mild winters, weather-related disasters, and encroachment of their habitats by new urban development.

 

 

 

 

 

Facts

 

Identify Damage

 

Control Options

 

 

 

Description of the Norway Rat

 

 

Scientific Name:

Rattus Norvegicus

Color:

Usually grayish-brown, but color varies from a pure gray to a reddish brown; hard to identify by color alone

Weight:

10-16 ounces; larger than Roof Rat

Length:

7-10 inches

Tail Length:

6-8 inches; shorter than the body

Body:

Heavy & thick body, blunt nose

Ears:

Relatively small; close to body

Eyes:

Large & protruding black eyes

Lifespan:

5 to 12 months

Droppings:

¾ inch long with blunt ends; dark color; found in groupings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reproduction of the Norway Rat

 

 

Litter Size:

8-12 pups per litter

No. of Litters:

4-7 per year

Sexual Maturity:

2-3 months

Gestation Period:

22 days

Breeding Season:

Indoors: All year; Outdoors: Spring & Fall

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diet of the Norway Rat

 

 

Daily Amount:

0.5-1 ounce Norway Rat Food - Seeds - Rodent Library - Victor Norway Rat Control

Daily Water:

1-2 ounce

Daily Food:

Cereal grains, meats, seeds, cockroaches, fruits, shrimp

 

 

 

 

 

 

Habitat of the Norway Rat

 

 

Geography:

Throughout the US and Canada

Nest Location:

Burrows in soil, sewers, basements, lower portion of buildings

Home Range:

25-100 ft. from nest

Active Periods:

Nocturnal; most feeding occurs 30 minutes after sunset and before sunrise