Norway Rat

The Norway Rat is brown, heavy-bodied, six to eight inches long. Small eyes and ears, blunt nose and the tail is shorter than the head and body. Fur is shaggy and droppings are shaped like jellybeans.

Norway Rats usually nest in underground burrows, from which they enter buildings in search of food. Being nocturnal, they tend to remain in hiding during the day. Norway Rats prefer meats and cannot survive long without water. Reaching sexual maturity in two months, a Norway Rat infestation can increase dramatically in a short period of time. Litters may number from eight to twelve rats and can have four to seven litters per year. Adults live as long as one year.

Most common rat found in U.S., limited agility, but excellent swimmer and can carry many serious diseases.