Wildlifeof Sri Lanka
Black Rat
Squirrels & Rodents
Photo: Emma · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Rattus rattus
Basic stats
Diet
Seeds, fruit, stems, leaves, fungi and invertebrates; also crops
Size
12.75-18.25cm head and body, 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. Adults are 12.75 to 18.25 cm long without the 15 to 22 cm tail and weigh 75 to 230 g, 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).
Females can have up to five litters in a season, after a gestation reported as 12 to 29 days (Wikipedia, general species account). No Sri Lankan ecology was found for this entry. Nationally Least Concern (Sri Lanka National Red List 2012).
Quick answers
- What does the Black Rat eat?
- Seeds, fruit, stems, leaves, fungi and invertebrates; also crops
- How big is the Black Rat?
- 12.75-18.25cm head and body, tail 15-22cm
- How much does the Black Rat weigh?
- 75-230g