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The amazing migration journey of brown rats: How they conquered the world?
The brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is a widespread and well-known species of rodent. This rodent may have originated in northern China and its surrounding areas, but has gradually expanded to every corner of the earth over its long history. Brown rats are larger than other rodents, reaching up to 28 centimeters in length, and are closely associated with human environments, especially in urban areas. From their amazing adaptability to their ability to reproduce, brown rats have become the most populous urban rodent in the world. What are the factors that make brown mice so successful?
"Brown rats live in nearly every inhabited place, making them an important species for studying urban ecology."
Naming and etymology
Brown rats were originally called "Hanover rats" to connect problems in 18th-century England with the influence of the Hanoverian dynasty. As for why it is called Rattus norvegicus, although this rat species does not originate from Norway, the British naturalist John Birkenhardt played an important role in popularizing the name. He believes brown rats entered Britain on Norwegian ships in 1728.
Description
Brown mice usually have brown or dark gray fur with a lighter gray or brown belly. Their bodies are approximately 15 to 28 centimeters long and weigh between 140 and 500 grams. Compared with other rodents, such as the black rat (Rattus rattus) and the house mouse (Mus musculus), the characteristics of this rodent can be said to be relative to its size. Even more spectacular.
Biology and Behavior
The brown rat is a nocturnal animal that is good at swimming and climbing. They have good digging skills and build complex nest systems. Studies have shown that brown rats emit ultrasonic waves during social interactions and touch interactions. These high-frequency sounds are usually inaudible to humans, but they convey important social information between rats.
"Brown rats exhibit superior social behavior and develop powerful survival skills in the face of adversity."
Food habits and reproductive behavior
Brown rats are typically omnivores and will eat almost anything, but grains are their favorite food. Under the right conditions, female brown rats can reproduce up to five times a year, giving birth to an average of fourteen pups each time. During the breeding process, female rats can raise multiple litters at the same time, showing efficient fertility.
Social behavior and nesting
Brown rats typically form harmonious social groups, and they often display intimate behaviors during social interactions, such as grooming each other and sleeping together. Brown rats also deliberately create hierarchies, which allows certain rats to become dominant in the group.
Distribution and habitat
Brown rats have a wide distribution range, covering almost all areas with human activities. They first appeared in Europe in the 17th century and traveled to all parts of the world with human navigation and trade. For example, they first appeared in North America in the 1750s. The high adaptability of brown rats allows them to survive in cities and various man-made environments and compete effectively with other species.
Impacts as an invasive species
As brown rats spread around the world, they have become invasive species in many areas, threatening local ecosystems. This leaves many places facing competition and ecological pressure from brown rats, especially on some isolated islands and nature reserves.
The successful survival and reproduction of brown rats have made them a presence that cannot be ignored in the environment around humans today. Now that they have colonized much of the world so successfully, how can we adapt our lifestyles to deal with the challenges and impacts this species poses?
