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Norway Rat
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The Norway Rat (rattus norvegicus) : also known
as the sewer rat or the brown rat. Their heavy, thick body can
grow to be 20 to 25 cm (10 inches) long with a tail that is a
little shorter. They can weigh 500 g (1 lb), have a rounded nose
and small ears. They prefer wet conditions and make their nests
at ground level, in crawl spaces and burrows in the ground.
The Norway rat generally prefers to live in underground tunnels and tend
to live in colonies. Rats will also live in sewers and drain pipes.
The Norway Rat is an excellent swimmer and have been known to swim
through pipes to access a structure. Rats are omnivores and will consume
many different types of foods.
Unlike mice, rats need a daily water
source. They can obtain water from toilets, sinks, puddles, or from
condensation on utility pipes. Rats are suspicious of changes in
their environment or new foods, for this reason it may take a couple of
days for rats to frequent traps or rodent bait. Rats are nocturnal, with
their peak activity at dusk or before dawn.You may see activity during
the day when the populations are high.
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