Latin Etymology: Rattus ("rat") norvegicus ("of Norway")
Adult Brown Rat (subspecies R. n. norvegicus) at Geddington, Northants - May 2012
Featured Subspecies: Rattus norvegicus norvegicus
Length: 38-50cm / Weight: 230g
UK STATUS NOT EVALUTATED / IUCN Red List: Least Concern
A very adaptable and highly misunderstood creature - rats a very intelligent and expert survivors that have spread around the world with humans. They can be found in a broad range of habitats, although perhaps the most visible ones are urban ones where they are able to survive using food that humans leave. Originally reaching the UK aboard ships, it displaced the Black Rat which had reached the country first, making the latter more scarce. They were not responsible for the Bubonic Plague, but, may in theory carry other diseases. As with this individual photographed, perhaps the easiest time to see them is when they raid bird tables.
SUBSPECIES: R. n. norvegicus, R. n.caraco, R. n. praestans, R. n. primarius, R. n. socer- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - A common but usually shy resident
- Seen at various sites including Geddington and Rutland Water
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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