Rat
Rattus rattus
Where is it found?
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Primarily near human habitation but can be found anywhere.
Diet and foraging method
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Key adaptations
Their medium-sized body makes them good climbers, jumpers, swimmers, and runners. They have long teeth that allow them to eat almost any food they comes across.
Social organisation and mating system
Live in large groups
Polygynous
Did you know that...?
The Black Rat is believed to have caused the rapid spread of the black death across Europe in the 1300's. However, recent evidence suggests that the plagues spread was due to Gerbils.
Taxonomy
Picture credits:
Maps from: http://species.mol.org/species/
"Black Rat (Rattus rattus) under the Tree House (15858296885)" by Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE - Black Rat (Rattus rattus) under the Tree House. Licenced under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_Rat_(Rattus_rattus)_under_the_Tree_House_(15858296885).jpg#/media/File:Black_Rat_(Rattus_rattus)_under_the_Tree_House_(15858296885).jpg
"Rattus rattus 01 reframed" by H. Zell (reframed by Michelet-密是力 (talk) 06:42, 6 June 2013 (UTC)) - Reframed version of file:Rattus_rattus_01.JPG. Licenced under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rattus_rattus_01_reframed.JPG#/media/File:Rattus_rattus_01_reframed.JPG
"Mr and Mrs Rattus Old English Black Rat (3589381404)" by National Media Museum from UK - 'Mr and Mrs Rattus: Old English Black Rat'Uploaded by mrjohncummings. Licenced under No restrictions via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mr_and_Mrs_Rattus_Old_English_Black_Rat_(3589381404).jpg#/media/File:Mr_and_Mrs_Rattus_Old_English_Black_Rat_(3589381404).jpg
"Black Rat (Rattus rattus) under the Tree House (15858296885)" by Bernard DUPONT from FRANCE - Black Rat (Rattus rattus) under the Tree House. Licenced under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Black_Rat_(Rattus_rattus)_under_the_Tree_House_(15858296885).jpg#/media/File:Black_Rat_(Rattus_rattus)_under_the_Tree_House_(15858296885).jpg
"Rattus rattus 01 reframed" by H. Zell (reframed by Michelet-密是力 (talk) 06:42, 6 June 2013 (UTC)) - Reframed version of file:Rattus_rattus_01.JPG. Licenced under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rattus_rattus_01_reframed.JPG#/media/File:Rattus_rattus_01_reframed.JPG
"Mr and Mrs Rattus Old English Black Rat (3589381404)" by National Media Museum from UK - 'Mr and Mrs Rattus: Old English Black Rat'Uploaded by mrjohncummings. Licenced under No restrictions via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mr_and_Mrs_Rattus_Old_English_Black_Rat_(3589381404).jpg#/media/File:Mr_and_Mrs_Rattus_Old_English_Black_Rat_(3589381404).jpg
