General Description

Large, stocky rat. Body fur light to dark brown, cream to grey underneath. Feet pink-grey. Tail is thick, naked, and less than or equal to the length of the body, with obvious overlapping rings of scales. Body up to 25 cm; tail up to 21 cm.

Biology

Brown Rats are mostly nocturnal, active on the ground, and proficient swimmers. They are commensal with humans where they are often a pest.

Distribution

Worldwide. Scattered populations around cities and towns in Australia, but rare in tropical or arid areas.

Habitat

Range of areas, including river banks, sewers, drains and urban places. They are primarily associated with human occupation.

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