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The mysterious Norway rat: Why does its name have nothing to do with Norway?
The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus), also known as the brown rat or street rat, is a widely distributed rat. It is not only one of the largest rats in nature, but is also known for its amazing vitality and fecundity. Their bodies are usually brown or gray, can reach up to 28 centimeters in length, and weigh between 140 and 500 grams. Although this rat is often called the "Norway rat," its name is not directly related to Norway, sparking curiosity about its origins.
The rat's scientific name, Rattus norvegicus, and its popular name, are actually based on faulty historical assumptions.
Origin of the name
The Norway rat was first called the "Hanover rat". It was associated with British society in the 18th century due to problems with the Hanover dynasty. According to historical records, the rat was first thought to have been brought to Britain from Norwegian ships in 1728, but its origins are not actually from Norway.
The person most likely to popularize this erroneous name was the British naturalist John Birkenholt, who named the brown mouse Rattus norvegicus in his 1769 "Introduction to the Natural History of Great Britain" and claimed that it Introduced to Britain by Norwegian ships. However, over time, scholars came to doubt this hypothesis, even suggesting that the rats might have been brought from Ireland, Gibraltar, or William the Conqueror.
Biological Characteristics and Behavior
The Norway rat is a nocturnal animal that is good at swimming and digging. Their fur is usually dark brown or gray, lighter on the belly. The social behavior of this species of mouse is quite complex, often resulting in strong social interactions between males and females.
Brown mice display a number of interesting behaviors, including using ultrasound to communicate and making different types of sounds when surrounding their mother to guide her movements.
Food and Ecology
As true omnivores, Norway rats can consume almost any food, but grains are their primary food source. The feeding behavior of this rat often depends on its habitat and available food sources. However, in urban environments they often rely on human food surplus to survive.
Norway rats reproduce very quickly, with females giving birth to up to five litters per year, with each litter typically containing seven to fourteen pups. Under ideal conditions, this allows the population of a pair of female rats to swell to 15,000 in a year. This rapid reproductive ability makes them a common invasive species in many urban environments.
Global distribution and impact
The Norway rat originates from Central Asia and spreads around the world as humans move around, becoming an important invasive species. Since the 1750s, Norway rats have been widely distributed in North America and have rapidly grown in urban transportation, especially when faced with densely populated cities such as New York. Like many species, the rat's expansion has had a considerable impact on local ecosystems, particularly in competition with native organisms.
Conclusion
If the history of the Norway rat is so complex, is it fair to say that our understanding of the origins of the ancient species is still full of uncharted territory?
