# Black Rat (*Rattus rattus*) The Black Rat is a small, clever rodent with a long tail and big ears. They are often found in homes and gardens, where they look for food and shelter. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** House Rat, Roof Rat ![Black Rat](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/20191212_Szczury_w_%C5%9Awi%C4%85tyni_Karni_Maty_w_De%C5%9Bnok_1038_8111_DxO.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:20191212_Szczury_w_%C5%9Awi%C4%85tyni_Karni_Maty_w_De%C5%9Bnok_1038_8111_DxO.jpg) ## Appearance The Black Rat is a sleek, medium-sized rodent with large ears, a pointed snout, and a very long, hairless tail usually longer than its body. It typically has black or dark brown fur on its back and a lighter belly, making it distinct from the larger, stockier Norway rat. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Rodentia - **Family:** Muridae - **Genus:** Rattus ## Interesting facts - Black rats are thought to have spread the Black Death across Europe centuries ago! - Black rats can jump impressively far, sometimes over three feet high! - Female black rats can have up to 5 litters in just one year, making many babies! - They constantly gnaw on things to keep their teeth from growing too long! ## Special abilities - **Acrobatic Climber:** Black Rat can climb incredibly well because of their strong claws and agile bodies, helping them reach high places. - **Balance Master:** Black Rat has a long, flexible tail that helps them balance like a tightrope walker, preventing falls from high perches. - **Whisker Navigator:** Black Rat can sense changes in air currents and vibrations using their whiskers, helping them navigate perfectly in total darkness. - **Ultrasonic Listener:** Black Rat has incredible hearing that lets them detect ultrasonic sounds, helping them find food and avoid predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 13-18 cm - **Weight:** 0.075-0.2 kg - **Lifespan:** 1-3 years - **Speed:** 12 km/h - **Litter Size:** 5-10 - **Gestation:** 21-23 days ## Diet & Feeding They are omnivores, eating almost anything from grains and fruits to insects and even small animals. - **Primary Foods:** Grains, Fruits, Seeds, Insects, Nuts - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Barn Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — A significant nocturnal predator. - **Eaten by:** [Domestic Cat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/domestic-cat) (*Felis catus*) — Frequently hunts rats in urban and rural settings. - **Eaten by:** [Western Ratsnake](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-ratsnake) (*Pantherophis obsoletus*) — A common snake predator of rodents. - **Eats:** Common Wheat (*Triticum aestivum*) — Black rats consume wheat grains from fields and storage. - **Eats:** [Plum tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/plum-tree) (*Prunus domestica*) — Black rats consume plum fruits as part of their varied diet. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Don't touch or chase wild rats; it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Black Rat? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Black Rat? 13-18 cm ### How much does Black Rat weigh? 0.075-0.2 kg ### How long does Black Rat live? 1-3 years ### How fast can Black Rat move? 12 km/h ### What does Black Rat eat? They are omnivores, eating almost anything from grains and fruits to insects and even small animals. ### Where is Black Rat usually found? Urban areas ### How does Black Rat hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Lower Cushman Dam](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lower-cushman-dam) — Washington, US · Historic Site - [Virginia Zoological Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/virginia-zoological-park) — Virginia, US · Zoo - [Ghent](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ghent) — Virginia, US · Neighborhood - [Turtle Bay Exploration Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/turtle-bay-exploration-park) — California, US · Botanical Garden - [Lake Underhill Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-underhill-park) — Florida, US · Park - [Mount Maxwell Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-maxwell-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Black Rat](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/black-rat) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Black Rat: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-rat)