Black Rat

Black rats are slender, agile rodents now distributed through much of the world after centuries of transport with people and cargo. They occupy buildings, farms, ports, forests, and many other environments offering shelter and accessible food. Their long tails, climbing ability, flexible behavior, and largely nocturnal activity help them exploit walls, roofs, trees, and storage areas. They often live close to people but can also maintain populations in relatively natural habitats. (Animal Diversity Web)

Black rats are omnivorous but commonly emphasize fruit, grain, cereals, and other plant material, supplementing these foods with insects and other invertebrates. Reproduction may occur throughout the year under favorable conditions, especially during summer and autumn. Females bear six to twelve young, averaging about eight, following a gestation of twenty-one to twenty-nine days. The young are nursed in sheltered nests and generally become independent after approximately three to four weeks. (Animal Diversity Web)