Leslie Massey
Australia is home to a variety of rat species, with the most common household pests being black and brown rats. These rats were introduced to the country by early European settlers in the late 18th century and have since spread throughout the nation. Black rats, which are smaller than brown rats, typically grow to a length of 16-24cm and weigh between 150-200g. They have large ears, a pointed nose, and a slender body. Brown rats, on the other hand, are more elongated and can reach weights of up to 500 grams. Aside from these introduced species, there are also several native Australian rat species, such as the water rat and the bush rat, which tend to keep away from human populations and are rarely seen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Types of rats in Australia | Black rat, Brown rat, Bush rat, Water rat, Giant white-tailed rat |
| Common pests | Black rat, Brown rat |
| Native rats | Bush rat, Water rat, Giant white-tailed rat, and four or five other species |
| Black rat length | 16-24 cm |
| Black rat weight | 150-200 g |
| Black rat young per litter | 5-10 |
| Black rat litters per year | 3-6 |
| Black rat gestation period | 3 weeks |
| Black rat time to sexual maturity | 12-16 weeks |
| Black rat food | Moist fruits (15g per day) |
| Brown rat length | 18-25 cm |
| Brown rat weight | Up to 500 g |
| Brown rat young per litter | 7-8 |
| Brown rat food | Cereals (30g per day) |
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What You'll Learn
Black rats are 16-24cm long and weigh 150-200g
Black rats, which are the most common rat pests in Australia, typically grow to a length of 16-24cm and weigh between 150-200g. They are smaller than their brown rat counterparts, which is why they are less dominant in most parts of the world. However, in Australia, black rats are more prevalent.
Black rats have a long tail that is longer than their head and body. They have a pointed nose, large ears, and a slender body. They are incredibly agile and excellent climbers, often seen running along fences, climbing trees and drain pipes, and scurrying through public pathways at night. They are commonly found in coastal towns and various urban environments across Australia.
Black rats produce 5-10 young per litter and have 3-6 litters per year. Their gestation period is about three weeks, and they reach sexual maturity in just 12-16 weeks. They are omnivores, with a preference for moist fruits. Black rats consume about 15g of food and 15ml of water daily.
The black rat is not native to Australia but was introduced by European settlers in the late 18th century, arriving on ships. They have since spread rapidly throughout the nation, becoming a common pest in both private homes and businesses. Black rats are known to carry various diseases, including Hantaviruses and toxoplasmosis, which can have potential implications for human health.
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Brown rats are 18-25cm long and can weigh up to 500g
Brown rats, also known as Norway rats, are one of the most common rat species in Australia. They are not native to the country, having been introduced in the late 18th century when Europeans began settling in Australia.
Brown rats typically grow to a length of 18-25cm, with their tails being slightly shorter, measuring between 15-21cm. In terms of weight, they can reach up to 500 grams, although wild brown rats tend to weigh significantly less.
Compared to black rats, the other common pest rat species in Australia, brown rats are larger. Black rats are typically between 16-24cm in length and weigh between 150-200 grams. They also have distinct physical characteristics, including large ears and a slender body.
Brown rats usually prefer ground living and burrowing but have been known to climb on occasion. They are known to live in both urban and rural areas, and their bold behaviour means they are often spotted running along fences, climbing trees, and scurrying down public pathways at night.
The brown rat's ability to adapt to different environments and its enormous growth potential have contributed to its success as a species, making it one of the most widely recognised rats globally.
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Black rats are the most common rat pest in Australia
Black rats are smaller than brown rats, growing to between 150–200 grams in weight and reaching lengths of 16–24 cm. They have a pointed nose, large ears, and a slender body. Their tail is longer than their head and body, and they have large, rounded ears that protrude from the skull. Black rats produce 5–10 young per litter and have between 3–6 litters per year. They are agile and excellent climbers, and their preferred food is fruit.
Black rats are considered pests because they spread disease and contaminate food and water. They were the primary vectors for the plague during the Middle Ages, known as the Black Death, which ravaged Europe in the 1300s and took millions of lives. They also carry Hantaviruses and transmit toxoplasmosis, which can affect their behaviour.
While native Australian rats tend to keep away from humans, black rats are bolder and can be seen running along fences, climbing trees and drainpipes, and scurrying down public pathways at night. They have evolved to live among humans and are not deterred by the constant threat of extermination.
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Brown rats are the most widely known rat species globally
Brown rats, also known as common rats, street rats, sewer rats, wharf rats, Hanover rats, Norway rats, and Norwegian rats, are the most widely known rat species globally. They are native to Asia, specifically northern China or Mongolia, and are believed to have originated in China around 5 million years ago. They can now be found on every continent except Antarctica.
Brown rats are highly adaptable and can be found wherever humans live, especially in urban areas and sewage systems. They are known to damage human property by chewing through structures and exploiting and contaminating food supplies. They also consume large amounts of grain and animal feed in agricultural areas and can kill poultry. They are social animals, living in colonies and reproducing rapidly, with females giving birth to up to 12 pups about six times a year.
Brown rats are omnivorous but prefer a carnivorous diet, aggressively pursuing a wide variety of prey, including insects, bird eggs, amphibians, fish, poultry, and carrion. They are also known to carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans through bites, contact with urine, or fleas. These characteristics, along with their ability to live in close proximity to humans, have contributed to their global spread as an invasive species.
In Australia, brown rats were introduced by European settlers in the late 18th century and are now among the most common household pests in the country. They are distinguished from native Australian rats by their shorter tails and bolder behaviour, often seen running along fences and climbing trees and drain pipes.
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There are seven native Australian rat species
The native Australian rats are generally shy and skittish, rarely venturing into areas dominated by humans. They feed on native plant shoots and other similar foods. In contrast, black and brown rats are bolder and are often seen in urban environments, running along fences, climbing trees, and scurrying down pathways.
The bush rat is one of the most common indigenous species of rat in Australia. It is a small, nocturnal omnivore, eating fungi, grasses, fruits, seeds, and insects. It is found in many heathland areas of Victoria and New South Wales, primarily in the coastal regions of south and eastern Australia. The species is mainly found in the lowlands, but also at higher altitudes in the Australian Alps. The bush rat is characterised by small tympanic bullae and a straight incisive foramen. It has a grey-brown coat with rounded ears and a relatively short tail. The tail is a pink shade of brown, almost free of hair, with scales that overlap, giving a ringed appearance. The bush rat is the host to more parasites than any other Australian rodent.
The swamp rat is another native Australian rat species. It is smaller than the bush rat and has dark brown footpads, in contrast to the bush rat's pink footpads. The swamp rat also has a much shorter tail compared to its body length.
The Rakali, or water rat, is another of Australia's largest rodents, usually found near permanent bodies of water. It is easily differentiated by its large size, gold-tinted fur, and long, white-tipped tail.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several rat species in Australia, and their sizes vary. The black rat, for instance, is between 16 and 24 cm in length, with a tail longer than its body. It grows to between 150 and 200 grams in weight. On the other hand, the brown rat can reach weights of up to 500 grams, although they are significantly lighter in the wild.
Black rats have a pointed nose, large ears, and a slender body. They also have a very long tail compared to other Australian rats and rodents. Their ears are so large that they would cover the rat's eyes if pulled forward.
Yes, there are several native Australian rat species, with some sources stating there are seven native species, while others state there are nine distinct species, seven of which are considered native. The giant white-tailed rat, for example, is native to the tropical rainforests of north Queensland.
