Species · GBIF taxon 2439270
Black Rat
Rattus rattusAlso known as Roof Rat, Ship Rat, House Rat
Black rats are agile, slender climbers that prefer nesting high up in trees, attics, and roofs rather than burrowing underground. They use their exceptionally long, hairless tails for balance as they navigate narrow branches and utility lines under the cover of night. Highly adaptable and social, these rodents live in loose-knit packs and communicate using a range of high-frequency squeaks.
NocturnalAdaptableSynanthropic
Licensed referenceDavidvraju / CC0 · cc0
- diet
- Omnivorous, feeding on seeds, fruit, grain, insects, and human refuse
- family
- Muridae
- threats
- Rodenticide poisoning, trapping, and competition with brown rats
- life Span
- 1 to 2 years in the wild
LC
Can carry pathogens and bite if cornered; observe from a distance and secure food waste.
Carries various pathogens, including leptospirosis and murine typhus, and can deliver a painful bite if cornered.
Never handle wild rats; use professional pest management and wear gloves when cleaning nesting areas.- Exclusion: Seal gaps larger than half an inch in attic vents and rooflines to prevent entry.
- Sanitation: Keep compost bins and outdoor pet food bowls tightly sealed to discourage foraging.
- Observation: Look for them at dusk along power lines or fence tops near dense ivy.