black rat
Plague-carrying pest
The black rat is a rodent species native to Asia that has spread worldwide, largely by stowing away on ships—hence its alternate name, ship rat.
Despite the name, its fur ranges from black to brown to gray.
Black rats are smaller and more agile climbers than their cousins the brown rats, preferring to nest in attics, trees, and upper stories of buildings.
They have been vectors for plague and other diseases throughout human history.
- rodentGnawing mammal order
- pestHarmful creature or nag
- plague carrierOrganism spreading epidemic disease
- disease vectorOrganism spreading pathogens
- tree climbingAscending woody plants
bubonic plague · climber · vermin · flea · invasive species · species · leptospirosis · crop damage · grain storage · gnaw marks · infectious agents · squeaking · snout · whiskers · cellar · droppings · burrow · nibble
- Global Specieshouse sparrow, house mouse, housefly, cockroach, feral pigeon
- pestsants, ant, bugs, cockroach, cockroaches
- Rats
- small mammalsmouse, mice, rats, hamster, hamsters
- urban wildlifepigeon, house mouse, house sparrow, raccoon, feral pigeon
- invasive speciesinvasive species, lionfish, emerald ash borer, noxious weeds, kudzu
black ratbrown rat
Common commensal rodent species
Norway rat · sewer rat · common rat · white rat · wharf rat