Learn how to identify rodent for this coming winter. From the black and brown rat to the house mouse.

1. Rodent Identification
By Excel Environmental Services
0800 917 7123 (24/7)
www.excelenvironmental.co.uk

2. The Brown Rat, Common Rat, Sewer Rat,
Norwegian Rat, Rattus norvegicus

3. The Brown Rat, Common Rat, Sewer Rat,
Norwegian Rat, Rattus norvegicus
• Rattus norvegicus is the most common genus of the Rattus species
found in the United Kingdom and Europe.
• It is one of the biggest muroids (link) with a brown-black-grey
appearance and can grow up to 10 inches in length.
• Some have argued that this species originated from mainland China
but its reach now covers nearly the whole world.
• Only Antarctica is saved from these robust and persistent vermin.

4. The Brown Rat, Common Rat, Sewer Rat,
Norwegian Rat, Rattus norvegicus
• Brown rat essential facts:
• Colour – varies between brown, grey and black colours
• Ears – small
• Eyes – small
• Tail – shorter than head and body and has a two tone
colour
• Weight – up to 550 g

5. The Brown Rat, Common Rat, Sewer Rat,
Norwegian Rat, Rattus norvegicus
• Brown rat essential facts:
• Breeding – 3-6 per annum
• Litter size – 8-10
• Maturity – 3 months
• Longevity– 1 year
• Droppings – cylindrical and around 17mm in length and
6mm across. They invariable contain hair and are
clustered in corners or along walls.

6. The House Mouse, Mus domesticus

7. The House Mouse, Mus domesticus
• The house mouse is a petite mammal belonging to the order
of Rodentia.
• They typically have large rounded ears and a pointed nose
with a hairless tail.
• They are the most common species of the Mus genus living
close by to humans.

8. The House Mouse, Mus domesticus
• House Mouse Essential facts:
• Colour – brown to greyish with a lighter colour underbelly
• Ears – large and rounded
• Eyes – small
• Tail – smaller than body length
• Weight – up to 25g

9. The House Mouse, Mus domesticus
• House Mouse Essential facts:
• Breeding – 5-8 per year
• Litter size – up to 8
• Maturity – 8 weeks
• Average life span – 3-4 months
• Droppings – small and cylindrical approximately 6mm in
length. They are moist and contain hair.

10. Black Rat, Ship Rat, Roof Rat, Rattus Rattus

11. Black Rat, Ship Rat, Roof Rat, Rattus Rattus
• Rattus Rattus or the black rat is a common long tailed
rodent of the genus Rattus.
• It is thought that they originate in tropical Asia and
spread through Europe via the silk road trading
routes.

12. Black Rat, Ship Rat, Roof Rat, Rattus Rattus
• Essential black rat facts:
• Colour – black to brown with a lighter grey underbelly.
• Ears – large
• Eyes – large and prominent
• Tail – longer than the rat body

13. Black Rat, Ship Rat, Roof Rat, Rattus Rattus
• Essential black rat facts:
• Adult weight – 300g
• Breeding – 4-6 litters per year
• Litter size – up to 8 pups
• Maturity – 2-3 months
• Average life span – 12 months
• Droppings – these are shorter and thinner than that of
the brown rat, approximately 10mm in length with a point
at one end.

14. Rodent Identification
• If you think that you may have a rodent problem, please don’t
hesitate to contact Excel Environmental for a free quote and to
arrange a survey.
• You can reach us on 0800 917 7123 free 24/7
• Or via www.excelenvironmental.co.uk