Brown Rat

Rattus norvegicus

Least Concern

About

Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Widespread and abundant across its range, with stable populations and no immediate conservation concerns.

Habitat & Distribution

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 10 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Widely distributed across Africa (11 countries), Asia (15 countries), Europe (41 countries), North America (16 countries), Oceania and the Pacific (10 countries), and South America (10 countries).

🇸🇹 Sao Tome and Principe 🇸🇳 Senegal 🇸🇨 Seychelles 🇿🇦 South Africa 🇵🇭 Philippines 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka 🇹🇼 Taiwan 🇹🇯 Tajikistan 🇨🇷 Costa Rica 🇱🇻 Latvia 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein 🇲🇩 Moldova 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇷🇺 Russia 🇷🇸 Serbia 🇸🇮 Slovenia 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇦 Ukraine 🇦🇪 United Arab Emirates 🇪🇬 Egypt 🇬🇶 Equatorial Guinea 🇱🇸 Lesotho 🇦🇴 Angola 🇦🇬 Antigua and Barbuda 🇧🇸 Bahamas 🇨🇾 Cyprus 🇯🇵 Japan 🇯🇴 Jordan 🇦🇱 Albania 🇦🇹 Austria 🇧🇪 Belgium 🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina 🇧🇬 Bulgaria 🇭🇷 Croatia 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇫🇮 Finland 🇫🇷 France 🇩🇪 Germany 🇬🇷 Greece 🇮🇸 Iceland 🇮🇪 Ireland 🇮🇹 Italy 🇨🇦 Canada 🇨🇱 Chile 🇨🇺 Cuba 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic 🇬🇩 Grenada 🇱🇹 Lithuania 🇲🇹 Malta 🇵🇱 Poland 🇷🇴 Romania 🇸🇲 San Marino 🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇪🇸 Spain 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇻🇺 Vanuatu 🇦🇷 Argentina 🇧🇴 Bolivia 🇨🇻 Cabo Verde 🇯🇲 Jamaica 🇰🇳 Saint Kitts and Nevis 🇱🇨 Saint Lucia 🇻🇨 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 🇼🇸 Samoa 🇹🇴 Tonga 🇺🇸 United States 🇦🇺 Australia 🇨🇴 Colombia 🇪🇨 Ecuador 🇫🇯 Fiji 🇬🇾 Guyana 🇳🇿 New Zealand 🇵🇪 Peru 🇺🇾 Uruguay 🇧🇧 Barbados 🇧🇾 Belarus 🇧🇷 Brazil 🇩🇲 Dominica 🇪🇪 Estonia 🇭🇺 Hungary 🇮🇷 Iran 🇮🇶 Iraq 🇮🇱 Israel 🇹🇻 Tuvalu 🇰🇼 Kuwait 🇱🇺 Luxembourg 🇲🇭 Marshall Islands 🇲🇺 Mauritius 🇲🇽 Mexico 🇫🇲 Micronesia 🇲🇨 Monaco 🇲🇳 Mongolia 🇳🇦 Namibia 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇲🇰 North Macedonia 🇵🇼 Palau 🇸🇬 Singapore 🇹🇹 Trinidad and Tobago 🇻🇪 Venezuela

Conservation Status

LC Least Concern

Full Taxonomy

Muridae (Mice & Rats)

Genus

Rattus

Species

Rattus norvegicus (Brown Rat)

Names in Other Languages

French Rat surmulot

German Wanderratte

Russian Pasyuk

Similar Species in Rattus

Sri Lankan Mountain Rat

Rattus montanus

Endangered

View all species in Rattus →

Explore More

Compare Species

vs black rat vs Himalayan Rat vs Ricefield Rat vs Polynesian rat

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of Brown Rat?

The scientific name of Brown Rat is Rattus norvegicus. It belongs to the genus Rattus.

What is the conservation status of Brown Rat?

Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.

Where does Brown Rat live?

Brown Rat is found in Widely distributed across Africa (11 countries), Asia (15 countries), Europe (41 countries), North America (16 countries), Oceania and the Pacific (10 countries), and South America (10 countries).. Countries include Albania, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium.

What family does Brown Rat belong to?

Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) belongs to the genus Rattus, which is part of the taxonomic family Muridae.

Is Brown Rat endangered?

No, Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, meaning it is not currently at significant risk of extinction.

What kingdom does Brown Rat belong to?

Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus) belongs to the kingdom Animalia (प्राणी).

What are the closest relatives of Brown Rat?

The closest relatives of Brown Rat in the genus Rattus include black rat, Himalayan Rat, Ricefield Rat, Polynesian rat, Losea Rat.