Norway Rat

Rattus norvegicus

Norway rats are clever little creatures that like to live near people. They have long tails and big ears, making them great at exploring their surroundings.

Appearance

The Norway Rat has a stocky body with rough, grey-brown fur on its back and lighter, often greyish-white fur underneath. It has a blunt snout, small eyes, and small ears that are partially hidden by its fur. Its scaly tail is typically shorter than its head and body combined.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderRodentiaFamilyMuridaeGenusRattus

Norway Rat

Interesting facts

A single female Norway rat can have up to 60 babies in one year!

Norway rats communicate using sounds too high for human ears to detect!

Rats use their long, scaly tails to help them balance while climbing or running!

They can survive falls from buildings over 50 feet tall without getting hurt!

Special abilities

Norway Rat can hold its breath for minutes and close its nostrils, allowing it to swim through sewers and pipes.

Norway Rat has strong, ever-growing teeth, letting it chew through wood or plastic to reach food and shelter.

Norway Rat has excellent senses of smell and touch with its whiskers, helping it navigate dark, complex environments.

Norway Rat has incredible adaptability, allowing it to thrive in almost any environment from cities to farms.

Measurements & details

Length: 20-30 cm
Weight: 0.2-0.5 kg
Lifespan: 2-3 years
Top Speed: 13 km/h
Litter Size: 6-12
Gestation: 21-23 days

Diet & Feeding

Omnivores, Norway Rats eat almost anything they can find, from seeds to meat scraps and trash!

Primary Foods

Grains
Seeds
Insects
Meat scraps
Fruits
Human waste

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Domestic Cat

Felis catus

Often preyed upon by household cats in urban environments.

eaten by

Barn Owl

Tyto alba

A common nocturnal predator of Norway Rats in rural areas.

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Frequently hunts Norway Rats in both rural and suburban settings.

eats

Common Wheat

Triticum aestivum

Consumes grains, often causing agricultural damage.

Traits

Furry

Find adorable animals covered in a cozy coat of soft fur! Their fur helps them stay warm and protected in different environments.

Whiskered

Look for animals with cool whiskers, which help them feel their way around and understand their world!

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Omnivorous

Meet versatile eaters who enjoy a wide variety of foods, from plants to other animals, allowing them to adapt to many different environments. They're nature's flexible diners!

Scavenger

Meet nature's clean-up crew! These important animals help keep the environment tidy by eating what other animals have left behind or things that have passed away.