Brown rat

(Rattus norvegicus)

Biology:

The brown rat is the most common rat here in Germany and its colloquial name “sewer rat” indicates its fondness for water. You can find it in ditches, rivers, canals or streams. From there, it often also ends up in the sewage system and therefore in the immediate vicinity of people. It can also be found in dry places, such as waste disposal sites, livestock stables and grain stores. The creatures have a slightly stocky build and can reach a length of 26 cm. At up to 20 cm long, its tail is always shorter than its body. The tail is ungainly and its muscles are not very pronounced in relation to its size and length. When it runs, the rat usually drags its tail along, which is why you can clearly see a track mark between its footprints in dust deposits, sand, sludge or snow. On top, its fur is grey-brown to reddish-brown in colour, whereas on its abdomen, it is light grey to white. The creatures reproduce all year round and in a year, have 2 to 3 litters with an average of 8 young. The brown rat is a sociable animal which lives in family units. It is known for its intelligence and distrust.

 

Damage:

The brown rat is an omnivore and causes damage by eating food and animal feed, and by contaminating them with faeces and urine. It can also cause material damage by gnawing. Finally, rats are major vectors of dreaded diseases in humans and their pets, such as the plague, cholera, trichinosis, foot-and-mouth disease and many more.