The Rat: A Couple Of Types Of The Rodent Often Discovered In Human Habitations

Rats are rodents that belong to the Rattus genus of the family Muridae

. These are the most dominant species on earth. There are several species of rats in the world. Most rodents feed on plants, but some feed on animals as well. Generally speaking, there are 2 basic types of rats, specifically roof rats (black) and Norway rats (brown). Both are believed to have originated in Asia and are now widely distributed all over the planet.

Roof Rats

The black rats are sometimes called roof rats & ship rats, scientifically named Rattus Rattus. They are usually black, have a slender built, 16-21 cm long & weigh about 80-300 gram. Their nose & muzzle are pointed, and their tail is longer than the head & body. They are called roof rats because they are climbers. Their paws enable them to climb & make nestles in upper parts of homes, attics, rafters & crossbeams of buildings.

Brown Rat

The Norway rat is sometimes known as the house rat, brown rat, gray rat, barn rat or wharf rat. It is the larger of the two mentioned here, and one of the best-known species. Rattus norvegicus is their scientific name. Their other name refers to their grayish-brown body, with a lighter colored stomach. A fully-grown brown rat is 18 to 26 cm long and weighs between 400 & 600 gm. Their nose & muzzle are blunt, and their tail is shorter than its body. They nest in deep burrows & prefer moist conditions.

At around 3 - 4 months of age, these rats start to breed. They breed up to 13 times each year and produce up to 22 in each litter. Black rats & brown rats eat about the same things. Their diet usually includes cereals, meats, seeds, nuts, grains, veggies, fruits & invertebrates. They consume about one-third of their weight in food everyday.

They damage structures, contaminate food and carry deadly diseases. Some of the diseases potentially fatal to man that spread through rats are salmonella food poisoning, toxoplasmosis, Weil's disease and plague.

by: Seth Clinton

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