Brown Rat

The brown rat is a large, widespread and common rat that lives wherever humans do, particularly in towns and cities. It is brown or dark grey above and lighter below, with a tail shorter than the head and body. Adults weigh 140 to 500g, though breeding wild animals are often under 300g, and a pup weighs about 6g at birth (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is nocturnal, a good swimmer both on the surface and underwater, and digs extensive burrow systems. It is a true omnivore that eats almost anything, though cereals make up a substantial part of the diet. Young pups use different ultrasonic cries to direct their mother's search in the nest. The sources opened here are general to the species. Nationally Least Concern (Nepal National Red List 2011).