Norway Rat
Category Rodents
Actual Size: 16” long including the tail
Characteristics: Robust bodies. Typically grayish-brown can be reddish-brown to blackish.
Habits: Known to create 6.5 feet long burrows along property lines and gardens. Will nest in basements and crawl spaces of homes.
- Referred to as the “brown rat” or “sewer rat”.
- Tails are shorter than their head and body combined and are covered in hair.
- Typically live in underground tunnels, burrows, and basements.
Norway Rats in Florida
Norway rats are more aggressive than the black rat or roof raft and have a stocky, heavier build. Norway rats depend on the human habitat for survival, so live near human activity and are considered commensal. They will eat nearly all foods but prefer meats, fish, nuts, cereal grains, and some fruits. Similar to other rodents, Norway rats will increase in activity after the sun sets up until dawn. They tend to gnaw, leading to noticeable damage to structures, homes, and gardens. They are known carriers of diseases such as salmonella, rat-bite fever, and jaundice.
Norway Rat Habitat
Norway rats are known for their burrowing habits that are often constructed outdoors besides gardens and foundations. Burrows are about 2 to 3 inches in diameter and can stretch up to 6.5 feet long. Norway rats will leave their burrow at night and enter homes to search for food and then bring that food back to their nest. If a nest is found in a home, it is usually in crawl spaces or basements. Should the Norway rat population be large, they will migrate to other upper areas of the structure or home.
Norway Rat Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers
Norway rats gnaw and burrow in their foraging and sheltering efforts. These habits often lead to damage to foundations, slabs, plants, and garden crops, while indoors they will create significant damage when nesting in attics and walls. Some more drastic impacts include rats starting fires due to gnawing on electrical wires. Wires that have been chewed on will spark and cause the wall to catch on fire. Further, rats are known to carry harmful bacteria and spread diseases. They will consume and contaminate food intended for humans, livestock, and pests, leading to diseases such as Salmonella, rat-bite fever, and leptospirosis.
Contact a licensed rodent control professional if you have a Norway rat infestation on your property.