Mammals · Rodentia · Muridae

Black Rat

Rattus rattus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The black rat, or roof rat, comes originally from the Indian subcontinent and spread across the whole world as a stowaway on ships and caravans. It is slimmer than the brown rat, with longer ears and tail, and an outstanding climber: it occupies roofs, false ceilings and tree crowns, while the brown rat dominates sewers and cellars. It is one of the most destructive invaders on the planet: on oceanic islands it has caused or contributed to the extinction of dozens of species of birds, reptiles and invertebrates.

Weight

75 g – 230 g

Size

16 cm – 24 cm

Lifespan

2 years

Diet

Omnivore

Combines animal and plant food depending on availability.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Colony

Lives in large concentrations, often for breeding reasons.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

RainforestTemperate forestGrasslandIslandsOmnivore Nocturnal Colonial Rainforest Temperate forest Grassland Islands Mammal

50countries5same family

Fun facts

It has historically been cast as the carrier of the Black Death through its fleas, although recent studies debate how much weight that mechanism carried compared with direct transmission between people.
Eradicating it from islands is one of the most effective conservation tools there is: on many islets, seabirds start breeding again within a few years of its removal.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Buildings, warehouses, crops, palm groves and woodland; on islands, practically any habitat
Sexual maturity: 3 months
Gestation / incubation: 22 days
Litter / clutch size: 7.3 (average)

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rattus_rattus