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Norway Rat
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Roof Rat
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House Mouse
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Scientific Name
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Rattus norvegicus
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Rattus rattus
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Mus musculus
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Other Common Names
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Barn Rat, Brown Rat,
Common Rat, Gray Rat,
Sewer Rat, Water Rat,
Wharf Rat
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Black Rat, Fruit Rat, Grey-Bellied
Rat, House Rat, Ship Rat, White-Bellied Rat
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Body Shape/Size
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Heavy, thick, large
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Slender, sleek
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Small, slender
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Max. Body Wt.
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18 oz.
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9 oz.
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1 oz.
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Nose Shape
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Blunt
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Pointed
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Pointed
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Ears
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Small, covered with hairs, cannot reach eyes
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Small, mostly without hairs. Can be pulled over eyes.
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Large, covered with some hair
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Eyes
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Small
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Large
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Small
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Tail Color
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Dark colored above, pale beneath
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Uniformly dark all over
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Uniformly dark all over
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Tail Length
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Shorter than head and body combined
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Longer than head and body combined
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Longer than head and body combined
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Droppings
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Rounded, blunt ends.
Capsule shaped. About
3/4" in length.
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At least one end pointed, clearly tapered. Spindle-shaped. About 1/2" in length.
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Pointed ends.
Rod-shaped. About 1/4"
in length.
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Nests
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Mainly in burrows.
Prefers to live on the ground in holes under vegetation,
edges of sidewalks, driveways and patios.
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Prefers to live in walls, attics, trees, climbing vines,
berry vines and shrubbery against walls of houses. Can also live in wood piles, storage
boxes and yard and garden storage.
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Usually in or near stored materials. Sometimes makes burrows and can be found
in walls
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Foraging Range
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Up to 300 ft.
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Up to 300 ft.
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Up to 20 ft.
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Days to Maturity
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60 - 90 days
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90 - 120 days
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30 - 35 days
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Number of Young per Litter
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8 - 12
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6 - 10
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6 - 7
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Number of Litters per year
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3 - 6
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6 - 8
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8 - 10
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Food Habits
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Omnivorous (plants and meat), eats about 1 oz. per
day. Shy, has new object reaction.
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Omnivorous, but prefers more fruit, nuts, grains and
vegetables. Eats about 1 oz. per
day. Shy, has new object reaction.
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Prefers grains, stored dried foods. Sometimes nibbles dried fruits,
etc.
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Water Needs
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Must find water or consume foods with a high water
content on a regular basis
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Must find water or consume foods with a high water
content on a regular basis
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Usually gets the water it needs from the food it
consumes
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Climbing Ability
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Can climb when necessary
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Active climber, very agile
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Good climber
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Swimming Ability
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Excellent swimming ability
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Not fond of water but can swim if needed
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Can swim if needed
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Minimal Crawl Through Opening
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Capable of squeezing through a space as small as
1/2" inch in diameter.
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Capable of squeezing through a space as small as
1/2" inch in diameter.
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Capable of squeezing through a space as small as
1/4" inch in diameter.
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