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- Appearance
- The head and body of the Norway rat range from 7 1/2 to 9 1/2 inches in length. The scaly tail is 6 to 8 inches in length. Their fur is shaggy brown with some black hairs. They have small eyes and ears.
- Habits
- These rats are nocturnal and quite cautious, usually not straying more than 100 - 150 feet from their nest. They can enter a structure through an opening as small as a 1/2 inch. Indoors, they prefer to nest on the lower levels, such as a basement. Outdoors, they burrow in soil, under sidewalks, near streams and rivers, piles of garbage, etc.
- Diet
- Foods of choice are meat, fish, and cereals. The will chew through almost anything to get to food or water.
- Reproduction
- Adults usually live between 6 to 12 months. Generally producing 3 - 6 litters, with an average of 7 - 8 young per litter.
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