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Wildlife
- Close
- - We protect wildlife in Britain and around the world by bringing our most threatened species back from the brink of extinction. We do this through ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Wild places
- Close
- - Some habitats contain such a richness of life that we need to protect them at all odds. We are working to preserve ancient woodlands, orchards and wood pastures and parklands, as well as the countless species they support.
What we do
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- - Everything we do is based on scientific evidence. We gather this through surveys, which you can take part in, and by awarding research grants to the most inspiring scientists worldwide. This evidence guides our conservation efforts and is shared through our events and publications.
Who we are
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- - People’s Trust for Endangered Species was set up in 1977 to save our wildlife. We are governed by a board of volunteer trustees and our team of staff are passionate about protecting endangered species and places.
Success stories
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- - We strive to bring our most threatened species in the UK and around the world back from the brink of extinction. Our successes come from ground-breaking research, practical conservation and education, all with the help of our supporters.
Get involved
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- - There are so many ways you can help save endangered species. Fancy taking part in a survey, joining us on a wildlife event or becoming a regular supporter?
Shop
- Close
- - Support our work in our shop with a range of charity gifts, home-ware, cards and more. 100% of the profits go directly to help wildlife both in the UK an overseas.
Donate
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- - There is nothing natural about the alarming rate at which we are losing animals and their homes. It is absolutely avoidable. We can stop the loss of our wildlife – but we need your support. You can act now by choosing to give to our cause. Thank you.

Home // Discover wildlife // Facts and figures // Brown (or Common) rat

Brown (or Common) rat

Status

Non-native, widespread and common

Population

7,070,000

Scientific name

Rattus norvegicus

Brown rats are thought to have been introduced into Britain in the 18th century, accidental stowaways in shipping from Russia. They are intelligent and highly adaptable animals, and have lodged alongside humans for millennia. Brown rats have grey-brown fur and a long, scaly tail, which is used to help balance. They live in large colonies made up of smaller social units or ‘clans’. High ranking males occupy the best positions, close to food sources. Brown rats tend to use the same routes to get from one place to another and in buildings the runs are apparent as dark smears. They are excellent swimmers and divers, and agile climbers, occasionally climbing trees. They dig extensive burrows that may be used for generations.

Head-body length: Up to 28cm
Tail length: A little shorter than head-body length
Weight: 200 – 400g
Lifespan: Up to 18 months

Reproduction

Litters of 6 – 11 pups are born and are weaned by three weeks. Young rats are grey and can be confused with mice. They breed throughout the year and females can have up to five litters in a year.

Diet

Cereals and root crops in agricultural land; meat, fish, bones, fruit and invertebrates in urban areas.

Habitat

Brown rats are typically associated with farms, rubbish tips, sewers, urban waterways and warehouses but they also live in hedgerows and cereal crops. They dig burrows in banks, leaving heaps of earth nearby.

Predators

Cats, foxes and owls predate young rats but adults have few natural predators.

Threats

Road traffic accidents; they are killed as a pest.

Conservation status

As an introduced species, a GB Red List assessment hasn’t been made. Global Red List: Least Concern (LC).

Population size and distribution

GB population: 7,070,000. Widely distributed throughout the UK but absent from most exposed mountain regions.

Did you know?

Rats spend a lot of their time washing and grooming: although they often live in rubbish tips and sewers (habitats created by humans), they are fastidiously clean.