Species · GBIF taxon 2439261
Brown Rat
Rattus norvegicusAlso known as Norway Rat, Sewer Rat, Wharf Rat, Street Rat
Brown rats are highly adaptable, social rodents that live in complex, hierarchical packs dominated by a single male. They excavate extensive burrow systems near water sources or human structures, using their keen senses of hearing and smell to navigate in near-total darkness. Their remarkable breeding capacity and ability to chew through wood, lead pipes, and cinder blocks have made them one of the most successful mammals on Earth.
NocturnalAdaptableSocial
Licensed reference(c) Martin Cooper, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
- diet
- Omnivorous (grains, seeds, meat, insects, and human refuse)
- family
- Muridae
- threats
- Pest control measures, rodenticides, and habitat exclusion
- life Span
- 1 to 3 years in the wild
LC
Can carry pathogens and bite if cornered; observe from a distance and do not handle.
Can transmit serious diseases such as leptospirosis, rat-bite fever, and salmonellosis through bites, scratches, or contact with their urine and feces.
Never attempt to corner, touch, or handle wild individuals; contact professional pest control for indoor infestations.- Secure waste: Keep garbage in tightly sealed metal or heavy plastic bins to avoid attracting them.
- Observe from afar: Watch their nocturnal foraging from a distance to avoid triggering defensive bites.
- Seal entry points: Block gaps larger than a quarter-inch in buildings to prevent them from nesting indoors.