Wild Brown Rat's Habitat

Wild brown rats, or Norway rats, are a common rat species with the scientific name Rattus norvegicus. Brown rats are also a domestic species, with domestic brown rats often found in homes as pets and in medical and genetic research labs. Wild brown rats are found almost wherever humans are found, often in places humans don't want them to be.

  1. Habitat Description

    • Originally, brown rats were native to forest and brush habitat types. Since these rats have adapted to the spread of humanity, however, the preferred contemporary brown rat habitat is anywhere there are also humans, since Norway rats now eat discarded or unguarded human food as their primary food source. Today, Rattus norvegicus is often found in cities, garbage dumps and sewers. They are excellent swimmers and are also referred to as "water rats;" they often can be found near water.

    Range

    • Brown rats were originally confined to northern China but they spread to Europe and the Americas in the 18th and 19th centuries and have since spread to every continent except Antarctica. These animals have also been carried unwittingly by humans in ships to many islands, where they often wreak havoc on native wildlife.

    Ecology

    • Norway rats often drive out other competing rat species in a territory. Theyserve various ecological functions, such as spreading seeds that they eat and aerating soil with their burrows. Brown rats tend to establish a territorial range within a 50- to 150-feet radius from their nests. A global Rattus norvegicus population exists today because of the human population.

    Conservation

    • Brown rats have a conservation status of "least concern." These animals are plentiful and wide-ranging. Since they pose a disease risk to humans, cause property damage and endanger other wildlife, they are widely considered to be a pest. Efforts are often undertaken around the world to decrease the size of wild Norway rat populations.