NORWAY RAT (notes in blue) Order: Rodentia Family: Muridae Rattus norvegicus Also called brown, field, sewer or common rat.

General Information The Norway Rat is the largest of the rodents that live in close association with humans. The head and body are 7-10 inches long and the hairless tail is an additional 6-8 inches long.

General information Rats have a stocky body and weigh 7-18 oz. The fur is coarse, shaggy & brown/grey with some black hairs. Lighter underside. Muzzle is blunt, eyes and ears are small Tail is shorter then the head & body together \\NORTH\WORK\COMMON\USERS\KWOLF\My Pictures\rat photo.jpg

Track information Compression shape rodents: fir tree 4 front, 5 back toes with claws No register typically

Trail information Front Foot: L 5/8 X W ¾ in. Rear Foot: 7/8 X 7/8 in. Trail Width: 3 1/8 in. Slow Stride: 2 ½-5 in. Running: 5-8 in. -May see a tail drag

Gaits and visual pattern Gallop is the normal gait pattern (V or U) Bounds when chasing prey such as insects Slow walks when stalking Paces when bored or threatening

Trail information Although largest of all mice & rats, individual prints are hard to find. Look for worn trail tunnels from nests to feeding areas under snow or vegetation Form trails along walls and other structures

Scat Dark brown and about ¾ “ long Looks like mouse scat, but larger

signs Surface trails from burrow to feeding grounds. Shallow burrows under plants. Greasy marks where enter through holes 45 degree cuts on vegetation Damage to stored food or other materials. Gnaw marks.

Rat Burrows- outside and in In soil underneath cement pads, in river banks, around buildings, low ground cover, railroad track beds, etc. Also sewers, crawl spaces, attics and wall voids Prefers lowest level Can easily fit through a hole the size of a quarter or space of only ½ inch!

Parts of a burrow Entrance: usually sheltered- sealed with vegetation when rat leaves the den Tunnels: at least 1 escape exit Nest Cavity: Contains bedding and used for sleeping, young, food storage Colonies can number in the hundreds.

Behaviors Primarily nocturnal Day only when pop. high or a disturbance Poor eyesight Excellent sense of hearing, smell, taste & touch –Recognizes food and other rats by smell –Hearing to locate objects –Sensitive body hairs & whiskers

Diet Omnivores- will eat about anything! –Seeds, grains, nuts –Insects, slugs, worms –Dried pet foods, cereals, chocolate, candy, all grains and seeds –Trash, gardens, bird feeders, barbecues -They require a separate, non- food water source -Their foraging range is feet (up to 300 feet)

Reproduction Produce 3-6 litters per year, each with 7-8 young typically days after conception Young are independent at 3-4 weeks, and sexually mature at 3 months (some as early as 8 weeks) That means 20 or more offspring annually!

Where did the Pied Piper of Hamlin come from? As populations grow to exceed an area’s carrying capacity, Norway rats will mass migrate to another area. It is reported that in 1727 millions of rats drowned while crossing the Volga River in Russia, although many also survived the crossing. Where did the Pied Piper of Hamlin come from?

History Originally from central Asia, the Norway rat was spread overland and aboard ships to Europe between the 16 th and 18 th centuries. The rat was introduced to America around 1776 in boxes of grain from Europe. Its population quickly spread across North America. (another dreaded non- native!!!!) The rat was responsible for the spread of bubonic plague across Europe (bacteria on fleas on rats).

Fun facts Rats are capable of chewing though steel and have ever growing incisors that constantly need to be worn down by use Rats have started fires after gnawing on matches The rat in its albino form is used in laboratories across the world for scientific experiments. Many people keep pet rats because they are very intelligent and have enjoyable personalities

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