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Norway Rat

Actual Size: 16” long including the tail

Characteristics: Stocky bodies with brown, grayish-brown, or black fur on their backs, with lighter-colored undersides

Habitat: Known for crafting burrows that extend up to 6 ½  feet in length along property perimeters and within gardens. They will also establish nests within the basements and crawl spaces of houses.

Habits: 

  • Also referred to as the “brown rat” or “sewer rat”.
  • Favor living in underground burrows, basements, and tunnels.
  • Cause significant damage to property, crops, and infrastructure.
  • Excellent climbers and swimmers, able to scale walls and navigate sewers and pipes.


Norway Rats in Central Arkansas

Norway rats are characterized by their robust, heavy bodies, exhibiting a larger size and more aggressive behavior compared to their relative, the roof rat or black rat. They are distributed throughout the United States and have adapted to live in close proximity to human populations, relying on human habitats for sustenance. Their diet is diverse, including cereal grains, meats, fish, nuts, and certain fruits. Active primarily during the evening and early morning hours, they engage in gnawing activities that can cause significant damage to homes, gardens, and structures. Norway rats pose a health risk as carriers of serious diseases such as jaundice, rat-bite fever, and salmonella.

Norway Rat Habitat

Norway rats are predominantly ground-dwelling creatures, known for their burrowing habits. They create burrows measuring two to three inches in diameter and extending up to 6.5 feet in length. These burrows are typically located outdoors, adjacent to building foundations and gardens. Norway rats are primarily active during the night and may venture into homes in search of food, retreating to their burrows afterward. When nesting indoors, they tend to occupy basements and crawl spaces. In instances of significant population sizes, Norway rats may expand their nesting sites to upper levels of buildings or structures.

Norway Rat Behaviors, Threats, or Dangers

Norway rats are notorious for their destructive behavior, damaging foundations, slabs, garden crops, and plants through their burrowing and gnawing activities aimed at securing food and shelter. Within household environments, their nesting activities within walls and attics can result in extensive damage. Reports of rodents causing fires by chewing on electrical wiring are widespread, with exposed wires within walls serving as potential ignition sources. Additionally, their scavenging behavior poses a threat to human, pet, and livestock food supplies, as they consume and contaminate stored food. Norway rats serve as carriers for numerous diseases, including salmonella, leptospirosis, and rat-bite fever.

If you have a Norway rat infestation in your Central Arkansas property, always contact a licensed rodent control company.