Brown Rat
Rattus norvegicus
Appearance
- Up to 40 cm in length, with a tail shorter than the head and body.
- 350 – 500g in weight.
- Blunt nose, small ears and a thicker body when compared to the Black Rat (Rattus rattus).
Lifecycle
- 7 – 8 young per litter; 3 – 6 litters a year.
- Gestation period of about 3 weeks.
- 10 – 12 weeks from birth to sexual maturity.
Habits
- Usually ground living and burrowing, but sometimes climbs.
- The only species to occur in sewers in Zambia.
- Preferred food is cereals.
- Will eat around 30g of food a day and drink 60ml.