Brown Rat / Common Rat

Rattus norvegicus

Nottinghamshire, England - November 2013

Rattus norvegicus has numerous English names, with Brown Rat, Common Rat, Sewer Rat and Norway Rat all being commonly used to describe this abundant species.

Nottinghamshire, England - February 2011

It is thought to have originated in Central Asia and was probably introduced into Britain from Russian shipping around 1720 and reached North America around 1740. Since then it has spread throughout the British Isles and most of N. America.

Nottinghamshire, England - November 2013

Newly weened young (above) can easily be mistaken for mice in both size and appearane. However, the young rat's large bulky hindfeet are a good indicator of its true identity since, in rodents, the feet develop quicker than the rest of the body.

Nottinghamshire, England - November 2013

Nottinghamshire, England - November 2013

Nottinghamshire, England - November 2013

Nottinghamshire, England - November 2013

Nottinghamshire, England - November 2013

Nottinghamshire, England - November 2013

Nottinghamshire, England - November 2013

Nottinghamshire, England - November 2013

Nottinghamshire, England - November 2013

Nottinghamshire, England - February 2011

Nottinghamshire, England - February 2011

Nottinghamshire, England - February 2011

Nottinghamshire, England - February 2011