| Brown Rat/Common Rat (Ratus Norvegicus) |
Appearance
- Blunt nose, small ears and a thicker body when compared to the Black Rat (Rattus rattus).
- Up to 40 cm in length, with a tail shorter than the head and body
- 350 – 500g in weight.
Lifecycle
- 7 – 11 young per litter; 4 – 6 litters a year.
- 8 – 12 weeks from birth to sexual maturity
- Gestation period of about 3 weeks.
Habits
- Usually ground living and burrowing, but can also climb. The only species to occur in sewers in UK.
- Preferred food is cereals.
- Will eat around 30g of food a day and drink 60ml.
|
| Mouse (mus domesticus) |
Appearance
- 7 – 9.5cm in length, with a tail around the same length.
- 12 – 30g in weight.
- Their relatively small feet & head and large eyes & ears distinguish them from a young brown rat (Rattus norvegicus).
Lifecycle
- 4 – 16 young per litter; 7 – 8 litters a year.
- Gestation period of about 3 weeks.
- 8 – 12 weeks from birth to sexual maturity.
Habits
- Usually ground living and burrowing, but often climbs.
- Preferred food is cereals.
- Will eat around 3g of food a day and can survive without any additional water. They will drink up to 3ml a day if their diet is particularly dry.
|
