Wildlifeof Nepal
Black Rat
Rats, Mice, Voles & Porcupines
Photo: (c) Emma, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Rattus rattus
Basic stats
Diet
Omnivore: seeds, fruit, stems, leaves, fungi and invertebrates; also cereals, sugar cane and coconuts
Habitat
Nests in palms and trees or upper floors of houses
Gestation period
Reported as 12–29 days
Size
Head and body 12.75–18.25cm; tail 15–22cm
Weight
75–230g
The black rat is a strong climber that prefers to nest in palms and trees or in the upper floors of houses. A typical adult is 12.75 to 18.25cm long, not including a 15 to 22cm tail, and weighs 75 to 230g, depending on the subspecies. It is an omnivore, eating seeds, fruit, stems, leaves, fungi and invertebrates, and crops such as cereals, sugar cane and coconuts (Wikipedia, general species account).
Black rats typically breed year-round, and females can produce up to five litters in one season after a gestation reported as 12 to 29 days. The account opened is general to the species and gives nothing specific to Nepal. Nationally Least Concern (Nepal National Red List 2011).
Quick answers
- What does the Black Rat eat?
- Omnivore: seeds, fruit, stems, leaves, fungi and invertebrates; also cereals, sugar cane and coconuts
- What habitat does the Black Rat live in?
- Nests in palms and trees or upper floors of houses
- How long is the gestation period of the Black Rat?
- Reported as 12–29 days
- How big is the Black Rat?
- Head and body 12.75–18.25cm; tail 15–22cm
- How much does the Black Rat weigh?
- 75–230g