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Section of Mammals

Carnegie Museum of Natural History

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Norway Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

August 24, 2017 by

Rattus norvegicusPennsylvania Counties for Norway RatCommon Name: Norway Rat

Scientific Name: Rattus norvegicus

Habitat: Usually found in close association with humans.

Diet: Omnivorous—the Norway rat is opportunistic, feeding on all types of organic material that it encounters.

Interesting Facts:
This animal is a good swimmer and climber whose opportunistic behavior has led to its successful worldwide distribution. This Old World rodent did not originate in Norway but in China. It is a serious pest of granaries and other food storage sites and a vector of numerous diseases communicable to humans. Most sources state strongly that efforts should be taken to control Norway rat populations whenever possible.

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