Brown Rat

About this species

Diet

Omnivorous

Habitat

Settlements, farms, sewers and watersides

The brown rat is a robust rodent with coarse brown or grey-brown fur, a blunt muzzle, small ears and a thick, scaly tail shorter than the head-and-body length. The underside is paler and the hind feet are relatively large. This heavy build and short tail help separate it from the more lightly built black rat, whose tail usually exceeds its body length and whose ears are more prominent. (Wikipedia, brown rat account)

Brown rats thrive around settlements, farms, rubbish, drains and waterways, but they also occupy banks and other outdoor cover. They are mostly nocturnal, dig extensive burrows, swim well and eat an exceptionally broad omnivorous diet. Social groups use scent and vocal signals, and females can produce several litters when conditions are favourable. The species originated in northern Asia before spreading with people. The opened account did not document a central Asian site or regional ecology, so none is inferred. (Wikipedia, brown rat account)

Description: Wildlife of Korea guide, Wildlife of Everywhere (wildlifeofeverywhere.com); general species information paraphrased from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA)