Norway Rat
ExploreMammals
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
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Aquatic Adventurer
Norway Rat can hold its breath for minutes and close its nostrils, allowing it to swim through sewers and pipes.
Ability
Master Gnawer
Norway Rat has strong, ever-growing teeth, letting it chew through wood or plastic to reach food and shelter.
Ability
Stealthy Navigator
Norway Rat has excellent senses of smell and touch with its whiskers, helping it navigate dark, complex environments.
Ability
Super Survivor
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
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Whiskered
Possessing prominent sensory hairs or vibrissae, often around the snout.
Social
Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring.
Omnivorous
This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter.
Scavenger
Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem.
Burrowing
Burrowing animals dig tunnels and chambers in the ground, using these subterranean structures for shelter, hunting, or breeding.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
While Norway rats are usually not dangerous, it's best to admire them from a distance and not try to touch them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Norway Rat?
20-30 cm
How much does Norway Rat weigh?
0.2-0.5 kg
How long does Norway Rat live?
2-3 years
How fast can Norway Rat move?
13 km/h
What does Norway Rat eat?
Omnivores, Norway Rats eat almost anything they can find, from seeds to meat scraps and trash!
How does Norway Rat hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Norway Rat usually have?
6-12
How long is Norway Rat's gestation?
21-23 days
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