Black rat
Rattus rattus
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Photo credit: ©GBNNSS, with thanks to the Wildwood Trust
Rattus rattus
Common Names:
Description:
Origin and Distribution:
Impacts:
How did it get here?
Is it found in Ireland or Northern Ireland?
Methods for Prevention:
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App. For further queries, you can contact the Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Team in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9558 or Email: invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk
Rattus rattus
Common Names:
- Black rat, Ship rat, European house rat.
Description:
- The black rat is smaller than the Norway rat and can be distinguished by its larger eyes and ears, and long, thin tail. Both the tail and ears are hairless.
Origin and Distribution:
- This species of rat is native to India but now has a global distribution.
Impacts:
- This species of rat is present in Ireland are known to impact on native flora and fauna. The effects these animals have maybe greater on island habitats. It has been observed to attack and kill chicks, and adult birds, and take eggs from nest sites and has been described to attack and kill at least 39 bird species. Evidence of predation of predation of small birds on islands is difficult to obtain, therefore this number is likely to be much greater.
- Arthropods, snails, amphibians and reptiles are generally not as well studied as bird species, and few data is available on the impacts of rats on these organisms, but again there is little doubt that the number of impacted species is very large.
- Invasive rats have impacts on plant communities too. These impacts on isolated island ecosystems are extremely important and of concern to conservation managers and enthusiasts alike.
- Rats are omnivorous, and as well as animal species they are known to eat leaves, seeds, flowers, bark and stems of many species, some of which are endanger of extinction due to their isolation on island ecosystems and lack of adaptations to the new predator. Rats are also known to prevent the regeneration of woodlands by damaging young saplings and adult trees.
How did it get here?
- This species can stow away on freight containers and ships.
Is it found in Ireland or Northern Ireland?
- It is not found in Northern Ireland. Occasionally this species does appear around ports because of its association with shipping.
- More distribution information can be seen on the NBN Atlas NI.
Methods for Prevention:
- Check boats and ships for rats
- Report all sightings.
You can help by reporting any sightings: @ the Centre for Environmental Data & Recording (CEDaR) - Or via the iRecord App. For further queries, you can contact the Invasive Non Native Species (INNS) Team in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9558 or Email: invasivespecies@daera-ni.gov.uk