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Rat species
In India, the Brown Rat (common rat) and the Black Rat (sewer rat) are commonly found in both private homes and business property.
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Black rat
(Rattus rattus)
Black rats can be found only rarely in India.
Appearance
- 16 – 24 cm in length, with a tail longer than the head and body.
- 150 – 200g in weight.
- Pointed nose, large ears and a slender body when compared to the Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus).
Lifecycle
- 5 – 10 young per litter; 3 – 6 litters a year.
- Gestation period of about 3 weeks.
- 12 – 16 weeks from birth to sexual maturity.
Habits
- Appearance confined mainly to ports.
- Often climbs, agile, rarely burrowing and rarely outdoors in India.
- Preferred food is moist fruits.
- Will eat around 15g of food a day and drink 15ml.
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Brown rat
(Rattus norvegicus)
Brown rats usually prefer ground living and burrowing, but sometimes they can be known to climb.
Appearance
- Up to 40 cm in length, with a tail shorter than the head and body.
- 350 – 500g in weight.
- Blunt nose, small ears and a thicker body when compared to the Black Rat (Rattus rattus).
Lifecycle
- 7 – 8 young per litter; 3 – 6 litters a year.
- Gestation period of about 3 weeks.
- 10 – 12 weeks from birth to sexual maturity
Habits
- Usually ground living and burrowing, but sometimes climbs. The only species to occur in sewers in India.
- Preferred food is cereals.
- Will eat around 30g of food a day and drink 60ml.