Transcript Norway Rat ppt. Presentation example

NORWAY RAT
(notes in blue)
• Order: Rodentia
• Family: Muridae
• Rattus norvegicus
• Also called brown,
field, sewer or
common rat.
General Information
• The Norway Rat is
the largest of the
rodents that live in
close association with
humans. The head
and body are 7-10
inches long and the
hairless tail is an
additional 6-8 inches
long.
General information
• Rats have a stocky
body and weigh 7-18
oz.
• The fur is coarse,
shaggy & brown/grey
with some black hairs.
• Lighter underside.
• Muzzle is blunt, eyes
and ears are small
• Tail is shorter then the
head & body together
\\NORTH\WO
Track information
• Compression
shape rodents:
fir tree
• 4 front, 5 back
toes with claws
• No register
typically
Trail information
Front Foot: L 5/8 X W ¾ in.
Rear Foot: 7/8 X 7/8 in.
Trail Width: 3 1/8 in.
Slow Stride: 2 ½-5 in.
Running: 5-8 in.
-May see a tail drag
Gaits and visual pattern
• Gallop is the normal
gait pattern (V or U)
• Bounds when chasing
prey such as insects
• Slow walks when
stalking
• Paces when bored or
threatening
Trail information
• Although largest of all
mice & rats, individual
prints are hard to find.
• Look for worn trail
tunnels from nests to
feeding areas under
snow or vegetation
• Form trails along
walls and other
structures
Scat
• Dark brown and about ¾ “ long
• Looks like mouse scat, but larger
signs
• Surface trails from
burrow to feeding
grounds. Shallow
burrows under plants.
• Greasy marks where
enter through holes
• 45 degree cuts on
vegetation
• Damage to stored food
or other materials.
• Gnaw marks.
Rat Burrows- outside and in
• In soil underneath
cement pads, in river
banks, around buildings,
low ground cover,
railroad track beds, etc.
• Also sewers, crawl
spaces, attics and wall
voids
• Prefers lowest level
• Can easily fit through a
hole the size of a quarter
or space of only ½ inch!
Parts of a burrow
• Entrance: usually
sheltered- sealed with
vegetation when rat
leaves the den
• Tunnels: at least 1
escape exit
• Nest Cavity: Contains
bedding and used for
sleeping, young, food
storage
• Colonies can number
in the hundreds.
Behaviors
• Primarily nocturnal
• Day only when pop.
high or a disturbance
• Poor eyesight
• Excellent sense of
hearing, smell, taste
& touch
– Recognizes food and
other rats by smell
– Hearing to locate
objects
– Sensitive body hairs &
whiskers
Diet
• Omnivores- will eat
about anything!
– Seeds, grains, nuts
– Insects, slugs, worms
– Dried pet foods, cereals,
chocolate, candy, all grains
and seeds
– Trash, gardens, bird
feeders, barbecues
- They require a separate, nonfood water source
- Their foraging range is 100150 feet (up to 300 feet)
Reproduction
• Produce 3-6 litters per year, each with 7-8 young
typically 21-23 days after conception
• Young are independent at 3-4 weeks, and sexually
mature at 3 months (some as early as 8 weeks)
• That means 20 or more offspring annually!
Where did the Pied Piper
of Hamlin come from?
• As populations grow to exceed an area’s carrying
capacity, Norway rats will mass migrate to another
area. It is reported that in 1727 millions of rats
drowned while crossing the Volga River in Russia,
although many also survived the crossing.
History
• Originally from central Asia, the Norway rat was
spread overland and aboard ships to Europe
between the 16th and 18th centuries.
• The rat was introduced to America around 1776 in
boxes of grain from Europe. Its population quickly
spread across North America. (another dreaded nonnative!!!!)
• The rat was responsible for the spread of bubonic
plague across Europe (bacteria on fleas on rats).
Fun facts
• Rats are capable of chewing though steel and have ever
growing incisors that constantly need to be worn down
by use
• Rats have started fires after gnawing on matches
• The rat in its albino form is used in laboratories across
the world for scientific experiments.
• Many people keep pet rats because they are very
intelligent and have enjoyable personalities
The End!