Fancy rat (Rattus norvegicus) — species profile (taxonomy, origin, lifespan, husbandry basics)
Authoritative first-hand species account (Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan). All bullet facts are verbatim from the cited source and C1-substring verified.
Natural History & Origin
- are originally native to northern China.
- was native to forests and brushy areas.
- Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Habitat
- habitat to be alongside the rapid expansion of the human population.
- a variety of habitats including garbage dumps, sewers, open fields and woodlands,
- Mostly nocturnal or active at dusk, Norway rats go about digging burrows, foraging
Size
- 400 mm nose-to-tail, and weigh 140 to 500 g.
- the tail is shorter than the length of the body.
- Newborns weigh an average of 5 grams and are milk-fed until weaning occurs at 3 to
Lifespan
- is capable of mating for up to two years.
- In the wild, it is assumed that they live for upwards
- live in large, male-dominated groups.
Behavior & Social Structure
- Social animals, Norway rats tend to breed in
- associates with others of its species; forms social groups.
- ranking system or pecking order among members of a long-term social group, where dominance
Reproduction
- Once a female enters her six-hour estrus period, she may mate as many
- Although not technically a seasonal breeder, a mating increase occurs in the warmer
- An average female is capable of giving birth approximately seven
Diet
- Nests are constructed of any efficient foraged materials including
- foragers if it were not for their spectacular sense of smell.
- Norway rats are excellent foragers.