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Brown rat

Rattus norvegicus


Where is it found?

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Most terrestrial habitats, particularly those inhabited by humans.

Diet and foraging method

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Attack prey in packs.
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Key adaptations

Long tail is used for balance. Their whiskers help them sense objects and vibrations in the area.

Social organisation and mating system

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Live in large groups
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Promiscuous

Did you know that...?

A female Brown Rat can produce sixty offspring in one year, thus explaining why rats can take over new locations so rapidly.

Taxonomy

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Picture credits:

Maps from: http://species.mol.org/species/
"Rattus norvegicus 2" by Tomas Čekanavičius. Licenced under Attribution via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rattus_norvegicus_2.jpg#/media/File:Rattus_norvegicus_2.jpg
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