Common Rat ( Brown Rat = Norway Rat )
Rattua Norvegicus
Identification : HB 22-26 cm T 18-22 cm,W250-500g
Larger and dumpier than the black rat fur grey-brown to
almost black, pale grey underneath; feet flesh-coloured;
tail virtually hairless, rounded in cross-section and scaly,
always shorter than the body;ears rounded, fleshy.
Distribution: Originally eastern Asia, but now found all over
the world and ubiquitous in britain and ireland .
Breeding: All year round , In colder section off the world
Apr-Oct; gestation is 22-24 days can be as many as 6 litters
per year with 12 young .The young open they eyes around
15 days ,they live off the mothers milk for about 3 weeks
and at 6-7 weeks they are independent.
Rats can be very dangerous when cornered and also carry
disease organisms ( salmonella and Weil's disease )
