Rodents

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Common Rat

Rattus Norvegicus

Appearance
- Brown or black
- Heavy-bodied
- 7-9.5 inches long; tail length 6-8 inches
- Small eyes and ears
- Blunt nose
- Fur is shaggy
- Droppings are capsule-shaped with blunt ends
Diet
- Omnivorous, but prefer meats, fish, and grain
- Must have a daily supply of water
Habits
- Lives in underground burrows
- They enter buildings in search of food
- Mostly active at night
Reproduction
- Reaches sexual maturity in 2-5 months
- They constantly breed throughout the year; litters range from 8-10, females average 6-7 litters per year
- Adults live up to one year
Other Information
- Common rat for the Northeast
- Built for survival
- Can adapt to different environments
- Limited speed, but good swimmers and jumpers
- They can carry many serious diseases
- They can fit through a hole the size of a quarter